Hoplocarida
Calman 1904
Taxonomy
| Phylum | Arthropoda |
| Subphylum | Crustacea |
| Class | Malacostraca |
| Subclass | Hoplocarida |
| Order | Stomatopoda (mantis shrimps) |
Distinguishing characteristics
- Distinctive, as the 2nd thoracic segment is armed with relatively massive inward folding claws. This feature gives them their common name, mantis shrimps.
- Possess a thin carapace that covers most of the thorax but is only attached to it in the anterior region
Ecology
- Benthic as adults but their larval stages can be seasonally abundant in the plankton.
- Larval phase in these animals is long and complex.
- Eggs are laid either in a burrow or are carried by the female.
- Newly hatched larvae are at first bottom-dwelling, but after a few moults they begin a planktonic existence as the alima stage. This stage spends several months at sea before metamorphosing into the adult and adopting a benthic burrowing life.