Exoskeleton
외골격
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<speciesfyi-glossary slug="exoskeleton"></speciesfyi-glossary>Definition
A rigid external covering that provides support and protection, found in arthropods such as insects and crustaceans.
Detailed Explanation
The exoskeleton's rigidity constrains growth — arthropods must periodically shed (molt) their exoskeleton in a vulnerable process called ecdysis. Despite this limitation, the exoskeleton's light weight and versatility enabled insects to become the most species-rich animal group on Earth. Crustacean shells incorporate calcium carbonate, making them sensitive to ocean acidification, which threatens shellfish populations globally.