THORACOSTRACA Meaning and
Definition
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Thoracostraca is a subclass of crustaceans that belong to the larger class Malacostraca. Derived from Greek roots, "thorax" meaning chest and "ostrakon" meaning shell, this subclass encompasses a diverse and extensive group of marine and freshwater arthropods.
Thoracostracans are characterized by their hard exoskeleton, which covers their thorax and is usually composed of calcium carbonate. This exoskeleton serves as a protective shield for their body and acts as a support structure for their appendages. Their appendages, including their modified anterior pair called maxillipeds, are specialized for various functions including locomotion, feeding, or reproduction.
Members of this subclass exhibit a wide range of morphological characteristics and inhabit various aquatic habitats throughout the world. Some well-known members of the subclass Thoracostraca include crabs, lobsters, shrimp, and crayfish.
These arthropods typically have a distinct body plan that consists of distinct segments, which are often fused or modified in various ways. Most thoracostracans possess a cephalothorax, a fusion of the head and thorax, and an abdomen. The cephalothorax houses their sensory organs and a pair of compound eyes, vital for detecting potential threats or prey. Their abdomen varies in size and shape among different species.
Thoracostraca plays a significant ecological role, serving as important links in aquatic food webs and contributing to nutrient recycling. They are also of immense economic importance, being harvested by humans for both subsistence and commercial purposes. Besides their ecological and economic significance, thoracostracans are fascinating creatures from an evolutionary perspective, representing a successful group of crustaceans that have survived and adapted to a wide range of habitats for millions of
Common Misspellings for THORACOSTRACA
- rhoracostraca
- fhoracostraca
- ghoracostraca
- yhoracostraca
- 6horacostraca
- 5horacostraca
- tgoracostraca
- tboracostraca
- tnoracostraca
- tjoracostraca
- tuoracostraca
- tyoracostraca
- thiracostraca
- thkracostraca
- thlracostraca
- thpracostraca
- th0racostraca
- th9racostraca
- thoeacostraca
- thodacostraca
Etymology of THORACOSTRACA
The word "Thoracostraca" has its roots in Greek. It is a compound word made up of two Greek words: "thorax", meaning chest or breastplate, and "ostrakon", meaning shell or hard covering. Together, "Thoracostraca" refers to a group of crustaceans that have a hardened, armoured exoskeleton covering their thorax region.
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