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Zooplankton

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Malacostraca

Latreille 1802

Taxonomy

Phylum Arthropoda
Subphylum Crustacea
Class Malacostraca

Size

  • Variable

Description

  • The largest class of crustaceans and includes the decapods (crabs, lobsters, shrimps), stomatopods (mantis shrimp), euphausiids (krill), amphipods and isopods.

Distinguishing characteristics

  • The head has 6 segments.
  • Possess antennules, antennae and mouth parts.
  • Usually have 8 pairs of thoracic legs and 8 thoracic segments.
  • Possess compound stalked or sessile eyes.

Distribution

  • Worldwide