Do all arthropods possess three body segments?

Arthropods are a diverse group of invertebrates that include insects, arachnids, crustaceans, and myriapods. While many arthropods, particularly insects, exhibit a body structure divided into three main segments—head, thorax, and abdomen—not all arthropods conform to this same segmentation pattern. For instance, arachnids (like spiders and scorpions) typically have two main body segments: the cephalothorax (a fusion of the head and thorax) and the abdomen. Crustaceans can also have varying segmentations, with some displaying more than three segments throughout their bodies.

Thus, the correct answer highlights the fact that there is considerable variation in the body structure among the different groups within the arthropods, supporting the assertion that not all arthropods possess three body segments. This understanding is essential for recognizing the diversity within the phylum Arthropoda and the different adaptations that have evolved in various environments.