Arthropods first evolved before other phyla with complicated respiratory systems, and therefore their respiration occurs in a slightly more primitive manner than those of chordates, for example (1).
Aquatic arthropods breathe through gills, while arthropods that live on land breathe through tracheae or specialized lung sacs depending on their phylum (see left). Classes Insecta, Crustacea, and Arachnea all have varied methods of respiration, which you can learn more about by clicking each class in the Arthropoda menu above. |
(1) Maas, Andreas. "Early Crustacean Evolution and the Appearance of Epipodites and Gills." © Museum Für Tierkunde Dresden, EISSN 1864-8312, 25.8.2009 Early Crustacean Evolution and the Appearance of Epipodites and Gills (2009): n. pag. 2009. Web. 16 June 2016.