Perspective Chapter: Crustaceans Taxonomy

Abstract

Crustaceans are one of the organisms living on the earth that is important to know forms (e.g., larvae, morphs, adults, sexes) and units. In the current era, crustaceans (crab, shrimp, and lobster) emerge as one of the most demanding seafood than other types of seafood, and therefore, natural implication of worldwide fisheries is more dominated by crustaceans. Because a large number of crustaceans taxa have been identified and described, it is necessary to definite groups. Crustaceans are one of the world’s oldest and most diversified arthropods, as well as one of the most successful invertebrate groups, with an assessed 40,000 living species and more than 150,000 identified. The names “shrimp” and “prawn” do not relate to any specific taxonomic groups. Although “shrimp” is often used to refer to smaller species and “prawn” is more commonly used to refer to larger ones, there is no clear distinction between the two terms, and their usages are sometimes misunderstood or even reversed in various regions. This chapter aims to focus on the taxonomy of the crustacean and their contribution and importance in fisheries.