Crabs, Crayfishes, Lobsters, Prawns, and Shrimp
Order Decapoda
The Crabs, Crayfishes, Lobsters, Prawns, and Shrimp (Order Decapoda) includes 103 species across 32 families and 61 genera in our directory.
About Crabs, Crayfishes, Lobsters, Prawns, and Shrimp
Decapoda includes ~15,000 described species of crabs, lobsters, shrimp, and crayfish. Although primarily marine and freshwater, some species like hermit crabs and coconut crabs are fully terrestrial.
Economic Impact
The global shrimp industry alone is worth over $45 billion annually. Crayfish are important aquaculture species and invasive crayfish cause ecological damage estimated in the hundreds of millions annually in Europe and North America.
Ecological Role
Crayfish are keystone species in freshwater ecosystems, influencing water clarity, sediment dynamics, and plant communities. Hermit crabs play vital roles in nutrient cycling on tropical islands.
