We've divided our exhibits into five sections: one for each class of arthropods represented in the Sonoran Desert.
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Not all classes of arthropods are represented; remember, we're the Sonoran Arthropod Studies Institute. All of our specimens are from the Sonoran Desert. Horseshoe crabs are not present; if they were, we'd need an additional section, because they're in a class by themselves (they're not crustaceans). On the other hand, the Sonoran does have crustaceans, and there is one in our "zoo". Before you visit the Crustacean section, can you guess what kind it might be?
In nature, of course, some of the specimens would live closer together. After all, spiders prey upon insects, and some insects return the favor. In a real zoo, predators and prey must be kept apart, except at feeding time, and then the supply is controlled. Sorting into classes, though, whether in a real zoo or in a virtual one, is just for educational purposes.
To learn more about arthropods after traveling through our virtual arthropod zoo, check out more Sonoran Arthropod Studies Institute Web Pages!