Which of the following is a characteristic of arachnids?

Arachnids are a distinct class of joint-legged invertebrates that include spiders, scorpions, ticks, and mites. A defining characteristic of arachnids is their body structure, which typically features four pairs of legs, resulting in a total of eight legs. This is a key feature that differentiates them from insects, which have three pairs of legs (six in total) and belong to a different class.

In addition to having four pairs of legs, arachnids do not possess antennae, which is a notable feature of crustaceans and insects. They also do not have wings at any stage of their life cycle, as seen in many insects. Their body structure is divided into two main segments: the cephalothorax and the abdomen, rather than three segmented regions.

These characteristics are crucial for identifying and classifying arachnids and understanding their biological role in the ecosystem.