Mandibulata

Mandibulata
Temporal range:
The mandibles of a bull ant
Life restoration of Odaraia, an early mandibulate belonging to Hymenocarina with mandibles present near the mouth
Scientific classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Clade: Mandibulata
de Clairville, 1798
Subdivisions

The clade Mandibulata constitutes one of the major subdivisions of the phylum Arthropoda, alongside Chelicerata. Mandibulates include the crustaceans, myriapods (centipedes and millipedes, among others), and all true insects. The name "Mandibulata" refers to the mandibles, a modified pair of limbs used in food processing, the presence of which are characteristic of most members of the group.

The mandibulates are divided between the extant groups Myriapoda (millipedes and centipedes, among others) and Pancrustacea (including crustaceans and hexapods, the latter group containing insects). Molecular phylogenetic studies suggest that the living arthropods are related as shown in the cladogram below. Crustaceans do not form a monophyletic group as insects and other hexapods have evolved from within them.

A number of extinct groups have also been placed in Mandibulata, including Hymenocarina, Euthycarcinoidea, and possibly Fuxianhuiida.

Arthropoda
Mandibulata

Pancrustacea (crustaceans and hexapods)

Myriapoda (centipedes, millipedes, and allies)

Chelicerata (sea spiders, horseshoe crabs, and arachnids)