Which of the following best describes Arachnids?

Arachnids are best described as animals that possess four pairs of legs and two body segments. This classification includes creatures such as spiders, scorpions, ticks, and mites. Unlike insects, which have three pairs of legs and three distinct body segments (head, thorax, and abdomen), arachnids feature a more simplified body structure consisting of a cephalothorax (combined head and thorax) and an abdomen.

Insects and crustaceans, while being part of the larger group of arthropods, have distinctly different characteristics that set them apart from arachnids. For example, insects have six legs and three body segments, while crustaceans typically have multiple pairs of legs and antennae. Fish, on the other hand, belong to a completely different category of animals and are characterized by their fins and scales, further differentiating them from arachnids.

Understanding these fundamental differences is essential for identifying and classifying various types of organisms within the animal kingdom, especially when dealing with pest control and management strategies in fields such as agriculture and structural pest management.