Millipedes and centipedes have long, segmented bodies with many legs. Millipedes are cylindrical, slow-moving vegetarians. Centipedes have a more flattened body, move rapidly, and prey on small invertebrates using their fangs and venom glands. A Look at Insect Diversity Insects display many adaptations. Unique Malpighian tubules process metabolic waste and aid in water retention.
Insects display enormous diversity.
Their great success is due to their ability to exploit nature's resources during different stages of metamorphosis, such as larvae, nymphs, and pupae. Their ability to disperse by flight allows the utilization of widely ranging food sources. Members include sea stars, sea urchins, brittle stars, and sea cucumbers. Internally, echinoderms are deuterostomes but of simple design. The unique water-vascular system operates the tube feet by contracting the ampulla on each one to achieve a suction useful in locomotion and prey capture.