The Arthropods are the largest phylum of free living animals, including millions of species. The Subphylum Crustacea are a large group of mainly marine species. They differ from other arthropods by having two pairs of antennae in front of the mouth. About 40 000 species have been named, however this represents only a small proportion of the total (likely to be more than 100 000 species).

The body has a basic plan, being subdivided into head, thorax and abdomen. Quite often, some of the thoracic segments are fused to the head, forming the carapace.

Most crustacean groups have a planktonic larval stage that differs greatly in appearance to the adult. The most common larval form is a nauplius, a rounded animal with three pairs of appendages, including large antennae.

Crustaceans occur in virtually all marine and most freshwater environments. They range in size from copepods (usually less than 1 mm) to crabs with a maximum leg span of more than 2 m.

CRUSTACEANS AT THE MDC

The following Crustaceans live at the Marine Discovery Centre: