Crustacea are a group of aquatic animals that have a hard exoskeleton and jointed appendages. They range in size from microscopic to over a meter in length. They are found in a variety of habitats, including oceans, rivers, lakes, and ponds. They have a lifespan of up to 10 years, depending on the species. The current population of crustaceans is estimated to be over 40,000 species. They are distinguished by their two pairs of antennae, two pairs of mandibles, and three pairs of maxillae. They also have two pairs of jointed legs and a tail fan.
Name Origin: The name Crustacea comes from the Latin word crusta, meaning "hard outer shell". This is in reference to the hard exoskeleton that many crustaceans have. The name was first used by the French zoologist Pierre André Latreille in 1802.
Related Species: Isopoda, Amphipoda, Decapoda, Copepoda, Cirripedia, Branchiopoda