Taxonomy of Shellfish

Unit 2 - Sub-phylum Crustacea

2.2.4. Sub-class 4. Mystacocarida

1. Primitive marine crustaceans.

2. Body microscopic, elongated, cylindrical.

3. No compound eyes, a nauplius eye present.

4. Antennules and antennae long, prominent.

5. Thorax bears 4 segments, each with one pair of simple reduced appendages.

6. Abdomen limbless, ending in a pair of caudal rami.

7. Excretion by both antennal and maxillary glands.

8. Sexes separate, earliest larva is metanauplius.

Eg. Derocheilocarus typicus