Crustaceans
PHYLUM ARTHROPODA: SUBPHYLUM “CRUSTACEA”
TYPES OF Crustaceans
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ANATOMY OF Crustaceans
OVERVIEW
Prawns, crabs and barnacles all belong to the same group of organisms called crustaceans. This is a latin name meaning “those with shells” or “crusted ones”, referring to their hard exoskeleton.
Arthropods together strong!
Crustaceans have a hard exoskeleton. But insects, spiders and centipedes also have a strong and sturdy exoskeleton! That’s why all these creatures belong to the same category of animals – the arthropods!
Variable body parts!
Some crustaceans have 3 body parts – a head, thorax and abdomen, just like insects. However, in many crustaceans such as prawns and crabs, their head and thorax are fused together into a cephalothorax (literally “head-thorax” in Greek”). This means these crustaceans only have 2 body parts instead of 3!
Uniquely crustacean!
Crustaceans are the only group of arthropods to have two pairs of antennae. And unlike other arthropods, which have unbranched limbs, the limbs of crustaceans such as their legs and swimmerets are also branched or forked into two parts. Imagine splitting your legs into two!