Explain why annelids are considered to be arthropods?

Annelids are not considered to be arthropods. Annelids belong to the phylum Annelida, which includes segmented worms such as earthworms and leeches. On the other hand, arthropods belong to the phylum Arthropoda, which includes insects, spiders, crustaceans, and other jointed-legged organisms.

Arthropods are characterized by having a segmented body, a hard exoskeleton made of chitin, jointed appendages, and a well-developed nervous system. They also undergo molting, where they shed their exoskeleton to grow.

Annelids, on the other hand, have a segmented body as well, but they lack a hard exoskeleton. They have a soft, flexible body covered by a thin cuticle. Annelids also have bristles called setae on their body segments, which help them with locomotion.

While both annelids and arthropods are segmented organisms, they belong to different phyla and have distinct characteristics that differentiate them.