Shell Specimen: Crustaceans

Crustaceans are classified under the animal phylum Arthropoda meaning “jointed foot”. This is made clear by the many joints “bendy parts” seen on the limbs of what are commonly called “bugs”. Crustaceans are essentially “the bugs of the sea”, although woodlice aka “pill bugs” aka “rolly pollies” are also in this group. Their shells are composed of protein, chiton, and or calcium carbonate (CaCO3). To see some fossils arthropods click here and to see arthropods models click here.

Kingdom: Animalia – Phylum: Arthropoda – Subphylum: Crustacea

(Crabs and Barnacles)

Barnacles (encrusted on snail shell)

Crab Carapace

Crab Carapace

Data: Dance, S. Peter, Smithsonian Handbook: Shells, The photographic regognition guide to seashells of the world. A Dorling Kindersley Book.