Taxonomy of Shellfish

Unit 2 - Sub-phylum Crustacea

2.2.2. Sub-class 2. Branchiopoda

1. Primitive, small, free-living, mostly freshwater crustaceans.

2. Body consists of a varying number of segments.

3. Antennules small; uniramous; usually unsegmented.

4. Mandibles with or without a vestigial palp.

5. Second maxillae either reduced or absent.

6. Thorax bears four or more flat, leaf-like respiratory appendages also help in filter feeding and locomotion.

7. Abdomen without appendages, terminates in a pair of caudal styles.

8. Larva is nauplius; parthenogenesis very common.

Eg. Artemia (order : Anostraca), Daphnia, Moina, Ceriodaphnia (Order : Cladocera)