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Which animals belong to the Crustacea subphylum?
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arthropod
Spiny lobster, or rock lobster (Palinurus elephas).
The subphylum Crustacea is a diverse group of arthropods comprising approximately 45,000 species. While they are primarily aquatic, they occupy a wide range of environments, from deep-sea trenches to terrestrial habitats.123
Commonly recognized members of this subphylum include:
- Decapods: This group includes crabs (such as ghost, fiddler, and blue crabs), lobsters, crayfish, and shrimp.42
- Isopods: These include wood lice, pill bugs, and sow bugs, which are among the most terrestrial crustaceans.32
- Other notable groups: The subphylum also encompasses krill, barnacles, copepods, water fleas, and mantis shrimp.42
Crustaceans are distinguished from other arthropods by having two pairs of appendages (antennules and antennae) located in front of the mouth, as well as paired appendages near the mouth that serve as jaws.1