What does Decapoda mean in biology?

What does Decapoda mean in biology?

Definition of decapod 1 : any of an order (Decapoda) of crustaceans (such as shrimp, lobsters, and crabs) with five pairs of thoracic appendages one or more of which are modified into pincers, with stalked eyes, and with the head and thorax fused into a cephalothorax and covered by a carapace.

What are the characteristics of Decapoda?

Distinguishing characteristics 8 pairs of thoracic appendages. Five pairs of appendages are considered as the 10 legs (pereiopods), hence the name Decapoda). Front 3 pairs of appendages function as mouthparts (maxillipeds). 1 pair of legs (chelipeds) are enlarged pincers (claws called chalae).

Which of the following is an example of order Decapoda?

The Decapoda or decapods (literally “ten-footed”) are an order of crustaceans within the class Malacostraca, including many familiar groups, such as crabs, lobsters, crayfish, shrimp and prawns….Decapoda.

What are the 2 main body parts of decapods called?

The decapod crustacean, such as a crab, lobster, shrimp or prawn, is made up of nineteen body segments grouped into two main body parts, the cephalothorax and the abdomen. Each segment may possess one pair of appendages, although in various groups these may be reduced or missing.

What other organisms are decapods?

decapod, (order Decapoda), any of more than 8,000 species of crustaceans (phylum Arthropoda) that include shrimp, lobsters, crayfish, hermit crabs, and crabs. The presence of five pairs of thoracic legs (pereiopods) is the basis for the name decapod (from the Greek meaning “10 legs”).

What are Chelipeds ‘?

Definition of cheliped : one of the pair of legs that bears the large chelae in decapod crustaceans.

Are decapods vertebrates?

Decapods are the order of invertebrate crustaceans which includes crayfish, crabs, lobsters, prawns and shrimps.

What are pleopods used for?

(zoology) One of the abdominal legs of a crustacean. In decapods such as lobsters, pleopods are legs mainly used for swimming but sometimes used for brooding eggs or catching food. In some species certain pleopods of an animal may have been adapted to special functions such as reproduction.

What are Pleopods used for?

How many swimmerets are there?

These are the crayfish’s swimmerets. There are five pairs of these appendages. 3. These are the crayfish’s walking legs.

Why are decapods important to humans?

There have also been important discoveries of novel families of natural inducible antimicrobial proteins from decapods, many of which are salt-tolerant and active against some important human pathogens and even viruses.

How do decapods reproduce?

The sperm is deposited directly into the reproductive organs of the female or into a special storage sac in her body. In some species the male stands guard over the female to prevent other males from mating with her. Most female decapods hold their egg masses with their pleopods.

What are decapods and cephalopods?

Under changes announced today, cephalopods (including octopuses, squid and cuttlefish) and decapods (including crabs, lobsters and crayfish) will be recognised alongside vertebrates as being capable of feeling pleasure, pain and distress and therefore protected under the new laws on sentience.

What is the main difference between Pereopods and pleopods?

The pereopods or legs are usually slender, but in some a single leg or pair of legs may be stout and some pereopods (the chelipeds) end in pincers or chelae. The pleopods or abdominal appendages used for swimming, are well developed and, except in a few species, are present on all five anterior abdominal segments.

What do decapods eat?

Most decapods are predators or scavengers, but some feed on algae, and the land crabs eat fruits and leaves. The chelipeds can be used for many different activities, depending on the species. Some crabs use one large claw crushing and the small one for cutting.