4.1. Systematic position

Unit 4 - Taxonomy of shrimps and prawns

4.1. Systematic position

Phylum : Arthropoda

Sub-phylum : Mandibulata

Class : Crustacea

Sub-class : Malacostraca

Series : Eumalacostraca

Super-order : Eucarida

Order : Decapoda

Sub-order : Natantia

Infra-order : Penaeidea

Super-family : Penaeoidea


General remarks

Shrimps and prawns coming under the order Decapoda form a large group of crustaceans varying in size from microrocpic to about 35 cm long. Though nearly 2500 species are known, only about 300 species are of economic interest. The term 'prawn' is used for the animals that live in freshwater and the term shrimp is used for the animals that live in seawater.

Last modified: Thursday, 18 August 2011, 11:07 AM