crustacean

Table of Contents

References & Edit History Quick Facts & Related Topics

Images

American lobster

crustacean: anatomy

Tree of life illustrating the three-domain classification of life-forms

For Students

land crab

crustacean summary

Read Next

animal. Amphibian. Frog. Anura. Ranidae. Frog in grass.

Abundant Animals: The Most Numerous Organisms in the World

Discover

Scolex (head) of the tapeworm Taenia solium. The hooks of the scolex enable the tapeworm to attach to the intestinal wall.

Uninvited Guests: The 7 Worst Parasitic Worms

illustration of the walking titanosaurus, Patagotitan mayorum

Titanosaurs: 8 of the World's Biggest Dinosaurs

Close up of praying mantis walking on stone ground against a blurred background in Japan

6 Animals That Eat Their Mates

Ahura Mazda - relief of the Zoroastrian god Ahura Mazda at the ancient ruins of Persepolis in Iran. Also known as Ormazd Zoroastrianism,

Which Religion Is the Oldest?

airplane in flight (plane, aircraft, flying)

7 Puzzling Plane Disappearances

The Battle of Gettysburg, July 1-3, 1863. (Civil War, Pennsylvania)

9 Worst Generals in History

Martin Luther King, Jr.

Why We Celebrate MLK Day

crustacean: Facts & Related Content

Written and fact-checked by The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last Updated: Jun 12, 2025

News •

Scientists Discover Mysterious New Species of Crustacean in Underground Cave • June 10, 2025, 5:11 AM ET (SciTechDaily)

Facts

Also Known As	Crustacea

Photos

American lobster

crustacean: anatomy

Tree of life illustrating the three-domain classification of life-forms

See All Images →

Topics

Maxillopoda Enantiopoda Remipedia malacostracan branchiopod horseshoe shrimp crustacean louse Onychopoda Eumalacostraca Hoplocarida reptile fish insect bird mammal annelid heteropteran coleopteran echinoderm dipteran

Dig Deeper: More Articles That Discuss This Topic

Key People

Mary Jane Rathbun

American marine zoologist

William Brooks

William Keith Brooks

American zoologist

Latreille, detail of an engraving after a portrait, 1823

Pierre-André Latreille

French zoologist

Quiz

Lion (panthera leo)

Deadliest Animals Quiz

vulture. An adult bearded vulture at a raptor recovery center. The Gypaetus barbatus also known as the Lammergeier or Lammergeyer, is a bird of prey and considered an Old World vulture.

Animal Factoids

Mute swan with cygnet. (birds)

Match the Baby Animal to Its Mama Quiz

Sea otter (Enhydra lutris), also called great sea otter, rare, completely marine otter of the northern Pacific, usually found in kelp beds. Floats on back. Looks like sea otter laughing. saltwater otters

Animal Group Names

List

animal. Amphibian. Frog. Anura. Ranidae. Frog in grass.

Abundant Animals: The Most Numerous Organisms in the World