Systematic Position
Kingdom: Animalia
Sub-kingdom: Eumetazoa
Super-phylum: Ecdysosoa
Phylum: Arthropoda
Sub-phylum: Crustacea
Class 3 : Cephalocarida
Cephalocarida Characteristics
Ø Commonly called as horseshoe shrimps
Ø Primitive crustaceans
Ø Eyes absent
Ø Elongated body with large head
Ø Thorax with 10 segments
Ø Abdominal appendages completely absent
Ø Telson present in the abdomen
Ø The hind edge of the head covers the first thoracic segment
Ø Second pair of antennae located behind the mouth (best identification character)
Ø Mouth is located behind the larger upper lip
Ø First pair of maxillae very small
Ø Maxillae primitive type and usually not well developed
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