Types of Crustaceans

With up to 42,000 species, crustaceans live across the world in both fresh and salt water. Crustaceans fall into five classes: branchiopods, ostracods, copepods, branchiurans, cirripedes and malacostraca.

Branchiopods

This type of crustacean lives in fresh water, where it filter-feeds. The water flea is an example of this type of small crustacean.

Ostracods

Ostracods, tiny crustaceans that are generally filter feeders, have bodies totally encased in a shell, with only the antenna, antennules and bristled limbs for feeding projecting out. They live in both fresh and salt water.

Copepods

Copepods are so small that millions of these crustaceans can be found in one cubic meter of ocean water, and a lesser number in fresh water. They generally feed off plankton, and a number of species attach themselves to fish as parasites.

Branchiurans

These crustaceans, also known as fish lice, are flattened in structure. They live as temporary parasites on fish in both fresh and salt water environments.

Cirripedes

Cirripedes are commonly known as barnacles. They live in salt water environments, and may be free-floating, or may anchor themselves to animals or other surfaces.

Malacostraca

Nearly two-thirds of all crustaceans are malacostraca, and they're the most well-known of the crustacean. This type includes crabs, lobsters, shrimps and woodlice.

References

• University of Paisley, Department of Biological Sciences
• University of California Museum of Paleontology
• Animal Diversity