Hoplocarida
Quick Summary
Hoplocarida is a division of Malacostraca, a class of crustaceans that includes mantis shrimps. These marine crustaceans are characterized by a reduced carapace, a large abdomen, and powerful, enlarged second thoracic appendages used for striking or spearing prey. They typically possess three-branched antennules, unlike other malacostracans which usually have two-branched ones. Hoplocarida has a fossil record dating back to the Late Devonian period.123
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crustaceanAnnotated classificationSubclass HoplocaridaCarboniferous to present.Order Stomatopoda (mantis shrimps)Jurassic to present; eyes stalked; 2 movable segments in head; carapace leaves 4 thoracic segments uncovered; second thoracic limbs massive; marine; about 350 species.†Order Palaeostomatopoda
Read MoreSubclass HoplocaridaCarboniferous to present.Order Stomatopoda (mantis shrimps)Jurassic to present; eyes stalked; 2 movable segments in head; carapace leaves 4 thoracic segments uncovered; second thoracic limbs massive; marine; about 350 species.†Order Palaeostomatopoda
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malacostracanAnnotated classificationSubclass Hoplocarida Late Devonian to Holocene; carapace large, not bivalved; rostrum hinged; antennules 3-branched; forward thoracic legs subchelate (clawlike); hind thoracic legs ambulatory (walking) or burrowing; abdomen large; pleopods bearing gills; terminal segment with large tail fan; 3 orders. †Order Aeschronectida Carboniferous; carapace
Read MoreSubclass Hoplocarida Late Devonian to Holocene; carapace large, not bivalved; rostrum hinged; antennules 3-branched; forward thoracic legs subchelate (clawlike); hind thoracic legs ambulatory (walking) or burrowing; abdomen large; pleopods bearing gills; terminal segment with large tail fan; 3 orders. †Order Aeschronectida Carboniferous; carapace
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