Organisms

Decapoda

The largest order of CRUSTACEA, comprising over 10,000 species. They are characterized by three pairs of thoracic appendages modified as maxillipeds, and five pairs of thoracic legs. The order includes the familiar shrimps, crayfish (ASTACOIDEA), true crabs (BRACHYURA), and lobsters (NEPHROPIDAE and PALINURIDAE), among others.

National Library of MedicineMedical Subject Headings2026

Structured Summary

Abstract

The largest order of CRUSTACEA, comprising over 10,000 species. They are characterized by three pairs of thoracic appendages modified as maxillipeds, and five pairs of thoracic legs. The order includes the familiar shrimps, crayfish (ASTACOIDEA), true crabs (BRACHYURA), and lobsters (NEPHROPIDAE and PALINURIDAE), among others.

MeSH Record

Classification

Related Concepts

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MeSH Record

Synonyms

12 entry terms
  • Decapod Crustaceans
  • Decapods
  • Crustacean, Decapod
  • Crustaceans, Decapod
  • Decapod
  • Decapod Crustacean
  • Rock Shrimp
  • Shrimp, Rock
  • Sicyonia
  • Sicyoniidae
  • Rock Shrimps
  • Shrimps, Rock

MeSH Record

Aspects Covered

18 allowable subheadings

Indexed with the subheadings anatomy & histology, chemistry, classification, cytology, drug effects, embryology, enzymology, genetics, growth & development, immunology, metabolism, microbiology, parasitology, pathogenicity, physiology, radiation effects, ultrastructure, virology.

MeSH Record

Indexing Annotation

as animal & food; as food coordinate with SHELLFISH; note entry term ROCK SHRIMP: several other shrimp terms are available; unspecified shrimp as food is probably PENAEIDAE

MeSH Record

History Note

2020 (2003); was DECAPODA (CRUSTACEA) 2003-2019

MeSH Record

Previous Indexing

  • Crustacea (1966-2002)

MeSH Hierarchy

Tree Number

AMA Style

References

  1. National Library of Medicine. Decapoda. Medical Subject Headings (MeSH). 2026. Unique ID D033364. http://id.nlm.nih.gov/mesh/2026/D033364
  2. Decapoda. In: Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Decapod
  3. Decapoda. In: Wikidata. https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q4610