Crustacea, the Higher Taxa

J.K. Lowry


Anostraca (Branchiopoda)

Common name. Brine Shrmps, Fairy Shrimps.

Description. Head. Rostrum absent; eyes stalked; compound, visual elements present; ocular scale absent; naupliar eyes present, or naupliar eyes absent. Antennules (antenna 1) uniramous; peduncle and flagellum indistinguishable; exopod well developed, whip-like. Antennae (antenna 2) uniramous. Mandible biramous, or uniramous; palp present, or absent. Maxillipeds, absent. Thorax. Carapace absent. Thorax and abdomen differentiated. Peraeopods (legs) 10 to 32 (usually 11) pairs; phyllopodous (broad or narrow); undifferentiated (simple). Abdomen with 8 somites. Epimera absent. Pleopods absent. Uropods well developed, 1 pair, positioned terminally or subterminally; rami absent; claw-like. Telson present (not fused to pleon).

Larval development. Anamorphic. Embryos carried in ovisac on the posterior limbless region of the trunk.

Habitat. Freshwater, alkaline, temporary pools; occasionally hypersaline lakes.

Distribution. Worldwide.

Cite this publication as: Lowry, J.K. (1999 onwards). 'Crustacea, the Higher Taxa: Description, Identification, and Information Retrieval.' Version: 2 October 1999. https://crustacea.net/.