Crustacea
Lobsters and kin
Crustacea is the formal Latin name for the taxonomic group containing crabs, lobsters, shrimp, and related arthropods.
In scientific classification, it traditionally ranks as a subphylum or class within Arthropoda, though modern taxonomy sometimes treats it differently.
The capitalized form appears in technical and academic writing: Crustacea are distinguished by their biramous limbs and two pairs of antennae. (Lowercase crustacea sometimes appears as an anglicized plural.)
Rank beneath phylum
- decapodTen-appendaged arthropod or cephalopod
- copepodMinute planktonic crustacean
- amphipodSmall sideways-flattened crustacean
- isopodSeven-legged-pair crustacean
invertebrate · classification · species · genus · order · family
Protective dorsal exoskeleton
- exoskeletonExternal skeletal structure
- chitinArthropod shell polymer
- antennaeSensory appendages on insects
- cephalothoraxFused cranial-trunk section
abdomen · thorax · mandible · eyestalk · rostrum · segmentation
Large marine shellfish
- crabPincer-bearing shellfish
- shrimpSmall edible crustacean
- krillSmall marine crustaceans
- barnacleSessile marine crustacean
prawns · langoustine · hermit crab · king crab · snow crab · blue crab · spiny lobster · rock lobster
subphylum
Rank beneath phylum
- decapodTen-appendaged arthropod or cephalopod
- copepodMinute planktonic crustacean
- amphipodSmall sideways-flattened crustacean
isopod · invertebrate · classification · species · genus · order · family
carapace
Protective dorsal exoskeleton
- exoskeletonExternal skeletal structure
- chitinArthropod shell polymer
- antennaeSensory appendages on insects
cephalothorax · abdomen · thorax · mandible · eyestalk · rostrum · segmentation
lobster
Large marine shellfish
barnacle · prawns · langoustine · hermit crab · king crab · snow crab · blue crab · spiny lobster · rock lobster · mantis shrimp
lobster
Large marine shellfish
langoustines · crawfish · crayfish · soft-shell · crabmeat · shellfish · seafood · bisque · boil · steamed
crayfish
Freshwater pinching crustacean
- crawdadSmall freshwater crustacean
- crawfishSmall freshwater lobster relative
- water fleaTiny freshwater crustacean
daphnia · freshwater shrimp · yabby · triops · scud · river · stream · pond · lake · brackish
Crustaceainsects
Six-legged arthropods
arachnids · spiders · centipedes · millipedes · scorpions