Malacostraca

views updated

Malacostraca (phylum Arthropoda, subphylum Crustacea) One of eight classes of Crustacea, the malacostracans appear in the Cambrian. There are usually eight pairs of biramous, thoracic limbs, some forms have pincer-like appendages, and the limbs may be modified for swimming, feeding, or other purposes. The group is diverse and includes crabs, lobsters, and the shrimps, and it has quite a good fossil record.

More From encyclopedia.com