Image Key > Malacostraca > Decapoda

Select from the following:

Lucier hanseni Ghost Shrimps	Crab Larva

• 8 pairs of thoracic appendages.
• Five pairs of appendages are considered as the 10 legs (pereiopods), hence the name Decapoda).
• Front 3 pairs of appendages function as mouthparts (maxillipeds).
• 1 pair of legs (chelipeds) are enlarged pincers (claws called chalae).
• Other appendages located on abdomen where each segment is capable of carrying biramous pleopods.
• Last pleopods form part of the tail fan, and together with the telson are called uropods.
• Classification depends on structure of gills and legs, and larval development.

• 8,000 species worldwide.
• Most abundant in shallow warm waters.
• Mostly scavengers.
• Four basic larval types distinguished partly by mode of locomotion: nauplius, protozoea, zoea, and postlarva. Most larvae hatch at the zoea stage.