Crustacea - The Crustaceans Crustaceans don't have spines; they are invertebrates and breathe through gills. Crustaceans have segmented bodies like insects! Their bodies are divided into three sections - the head, the thorax, and the abdomen. The head has two pair of antennae, a pair of compound eyes, and a pair of mandibles. |
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They have pairs of branched appendages on each segment of their bodies. They may or may not have appendages on their abdomens. They have an exoskeleton, or hard shell, that protects their internal organs. As they grow, they shed their exoskeleton and grow a new one. There are over 31,500 living species of crustaceans. Most species are found in the ocean, but some are found in fresh water, and some are even found on land. Species in this subphylum include crabs, lobsters, shrimp, wood lice, and crayfish. |
Crustacean Classes and Subclasses |
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Branchiopoda (fairy shrimp, water fleas) |
Copepoda (copepods) |