MALACOSTRACAN CRUSTACEAN Meaning and
Definition
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A malacostracan crustacean refers to a diverse taxonomic group within the phylum Arthropoda, class Crustacea. This group encompasses a wide range of crustaceans with a hard exoskeleton and jointed appendages, such as crabs, lobsters, shrimps, and krill. The term "malacostracan" is derived from the Greek words "malakos," meaning soft, and "ostrakon," meaning shell, reflecting the evolutionary transition from a soft-bodied ancestor to the development of a calcified exoskeleton.
Malacostracans are characterized by having two distinct body sections – the cephalothorax, which houses the head and thorax fused together, and the abdomen. They possess compound eyes, two pairs of antennae, and various pairs of appendages modified for different functions. Typically, the first pair of limbs is used for feeding, the second pair for handling food items, and subsequent pairs for walking or swimming. The last pair is often specialized for reproduction, equipped with specialized organs called gonopods.
These crustaceans exhibit various ecological roles and are found in diverse marine and freshwater habitats worldwide. They can range from small, herbivorous species to large, carnivorous predators. Many malacostracans have considerable economic and ecological importance, serving as a significant food source for larger marine organisms and playing vital roles in nutrient cycling. Due to their significance, malacostracans have been extensively studied, both in terms of their anatomy, physiology, and behavior, as well as their evolutionary history and ecological relationships with other organisms.
Common Misspellings for MALACOSTRACAN CRUSTACEAN
- nalacostracan crustacean
- kalacostracan crustacean
- jalacostracan crustacean
- mzlacostracan crustacean
- mslacostracan crustacean
- mwlacostracan crustacean
- mqlacostracan crustacean
- makacostracan crustacean
- mapacostracan crustacean
- maoacostracan crustacean
- malzcostracan crustacean
- malscostracan crustacean
- malwcostracan crustacean
- malqcostracan crustacean
- malaxostracan crustacean
- malavostracan crustacean
- malafostracan crustacean
- maladostracan crustacean
- malacistracan crustacean
Etymology of MALACOSTRACAN CRUSTACEAN
The word "Malacostracan" comes from the combination of two Greek words. "Malaco" means soft, and "ostrakon" means shell or hard covering. Therefore, "Malacostracan" refers to crustaceans that have a soft body underneath their hard exoskeletons.
The term "Crustacean" has a slightly different origin. It comes from the Latin word "crustaceus", which means having a crust or shell. This term was derived from the Latin word "crustāre", which means to encrust or form a shell.
Overall, "Malacostracan Crustacean" is a scientific term that describes a specific group of crustaceans with a soft body and hard exoskeletons.
