decapod
Crab's taxonomic group
A decapod is a crustacean with ten legs—crabs, lobsters, shrimp, and crayfish all belong to this group.
The term comes from Greek words meaning ten-footed.
In zoology, decapod also refers to ten-armed cephalopods like squid and cuttlefish, distinguishing them from eight-armed octopuses.
Small edible crustacean
- lobsterLarge marine shellfish
- crabPincer-bearing shellfish
- prawnEdible marine decapod
- crawfishSmall freshwater lobster relative
crayfish · langoustine · scampi · hermit crab · king crab · snow crab · blue crab · Dungeness crab
External skeletal structure
- carapaceProtective dorsal exoskeleton
- cephalothoraxFused cranial-trunk section
- abdomenTorso's lower cavity
- pincersGripping tool or claws
antennae · gills · mandible · chitin · compound eyes · segmentation · bilateral symmetry · appendages
Rich French shellfish preparation
- crab cakesSeasoned patties of flaked shellfish
- shrimp cocktailChilled prawns with sauce
- bisqueCreamy seafood soup
- gumboSpiced Louisiana stew
paella · bouillabaisse · cioppino · étouffée · scampi · sashimi · tempura · crab boil
Massive saltwater body
- seafloorOcean's solid base
- reefUnderwater rock or coral formation
- tide poolWave-stranded water hollow
- estuaryTidal mixing zone
burrow · brackish · marine · freshwater · benthic · coastal · mangrove · rocky shore
Losing outer covering
- soft-shellHaving flexible covering
- instarArthropod developmental stage
- growthIncrease in size
- hardeningBecoming less soft
Gathering discarded or dead material
- burrowingDigging to create shelter
- scuttlingHasty, low scurrying motion
- nocturnalActive during darkness
- predationHunting and consuming prey
camouflage · filter feeding · territorial · migration · swarming · omnivorous · bottom-dwelling · hiding
shrimp
Small edible crustacean
crawfish · crayfish · langoustine · scampi · hermit crab · king crab · snow crab · blue crab · Dungeness crab · spiny lobster
exoskeleton
External skeletal structure
- carapaceProtective dorsal exoskeleton
- cephalothoraxFused cranial-trunk section
- abdomenTorso's lower cavity
pincers · antennae · gills · mandible · chitin · compound eyes · segmentation · bilateral symmetry · appendages · rostrum
lobster thermidor
Rich French shellfish preparation
- crab cakesSeasoned patties of flaked shellfish
- shrimp cocktailChilled prawns with sauce
- bisqueCreamy seafood soup
gumbo · paella · bouillabaisse · cioppino · étouffée · scampi · sashimi · tempura · crab boil · jambalaya
ocean
Massive saltwater body
estuary · burrow · brackish · marine · freshwater · benthic · coastal · mangrove · rocky shore · sandy bottom
shedding
Losing outer covering
- soft-shellHaving flexible covering
- instarArthropod developmental stage
- growthIncrease in size
hardening · vulnerable · regeneration · juvenile · maturity
scavenging
Gathering discarded or dead material
- burrowingDigging to create shelter
- scuttlingHasty, low scurrying motion
- nocturnalActive during darkness
predation · camouflage · filter feeding · territorial · migration · swarming · omnivorous · bottom-dwelling · hiding