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In the context of arthropods the integument refers to the outer covering or cuticle, made from chitin. The arthropod strategy is to have the skeleton on the outside, but it performs the same function as internal skeleton in vertrbrates: to provide a structural framework upon which the organism is built, hence of necessity its proverbial rigidity. To some extent the arthropod skin is also a form of armor against predators; for example the pill-bug may roll up to present only the hard exoskeleton and protect the more vulnerable ventral surface. One might also extend this reasoning to the function of limbs, swimmerets, pincers, etc, each with their own requirement of rigidity to be effective.

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