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Crustaceans

Find out more about this diverse group, which includes lobsters, crayfish, prawns,crabs, prawns, seed shrimps, amphipods, isopods, ostracods, barnacles, slaters, pill bugs.

Slaters, landhoppers, beachhoppers and their relatives.

Slaters and their relatives belong to the Order Isopoda, while the tiny, shrimplike landhoppers and beachhoppers are in the Order Amphipoda. Both isopods and amphipods are found in marine, freshwater and land environments.

Crabs, lobsters and shrimp

The Order Decapoda, meaning 'ten-legged', includes many animals easily recognised as crustaceans, such as crabs, lobsters, yabbies, prawns and shrimp.

Barnacles and copepods

Barnacles and copepods are marine and freshwater crustaceans belonging to the Class Maxillopoda. Barnacles are fixed filter-feeders, while many copepods make up an important part of the plankton.

Image gallery

Crustacean photos

Crustacean photos

Crustacean photos

Crustaceans in the Australian Museum Collections

Read stories about some interesting collection specimens and find out more about the Marine Invertebrates Collection, which includes a wide range of crustaceans.

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