Symbiotic
Guides
Decapoda
decapods, ten-footed crustaceans
Decapoda is the most species-rich order of Crustacea, with over 14,500 described extant species worldwide. Members include crayfish, crabs, lobsters, prawns, and shrimp—collectively known as decapods or "ten-footed" crustaceans. The order exhibits extraordinary morphological diversity, ranging from tiny symbiotic shrimps under one centimetre to large crabs and lobsters. Decapods occupy virtually every aquatic habitat on Earth, from deep-sea trenches exceeding 5,000 metres depth to terrestrial environments, with nearly half of all species being crabs. The order includes several infraorders with distinct body plans: Brachyura (true crabs), Caridea (shrimps), Anomura (hermit crabs and allies), and others.