Narrative

Spiny Lobsters (Decapoda/Palinura Section) is that portion of Shrimps, Crabs, and Lobsters (Order Decapoda) which contains the Spiny Lobsters and the Spanish Lobsters.

Shrimps and Crabs (Order Decapoda) contains most of the larger freshwater and marine species of crabs, crayfish, shrimp, and lobsters. They have a total of ten pairs of legs, four pairs of which are used for walking. Frequently the first pair of legs has been modified into pinchers used for eating and defense.

The list below contains five different suborders based on the adult shapes of the various life forms

Natantia - Shrimp-like
Brachyura - Crab-like
Nomura - Hermit Crabs and relatives
Astacidae - Crayfish and Lobster-like
Palinura - Spiny Lobsters and Spanish Lobster

The sub-classification of the Order Decapoda is in a state of change. For a short summary of this situation, please refer to pages two and three of Shrimps, Lobsters, and Crabs of the Atlantic Coast of the Eastern United States by Austin Williams published by the Smithsonian Press, Washington, D.C., in l984. If one uses adult shape for classification, one gets one organization, and if one uses larvae shape for classification, one gets a different organization.

Taxonomy

References