The crustaceans are a large group of arthropods, comprising approximately
52,000 described species
They are aquatic
arthropods (marine or freshwater), although also terrestrial
representatives exist (woodlouse).
Crustaceans have three distinct body
parts: head, thorax, and abdomen, although
the head and thorax may fuse to form a cephalothorax.
The thorax and pleon bear a number of
lateral appendages (10), including the
gills, and the tail ends with a telson. In most of cases, the first
of which are modified into a pair of claws
and are not used for locomotion.
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