Eucarida

(invertebrate zoology) A large superorder of the decapod crustaceans, subclass Malacostraca, including shrimps, lobsters, hermit crabs, and crabs; characterized by having the shell and thoracic segments fused dorsally and the eyes on movable stalks.

The largest and most highly evolved superorder of the crustacean class Malacostraca. It contains the orders Euphausiacea, Amphionidacea, and Decapoda; alternatively, the orders Pygocephalomorpha (fossil), Lophogastrida, Mysida, Euphausiacea, Amphionidacea, and Decapoda are recognized. Despite the great morphological and ecological diversity of eucaridans given either classification, all share (1) a well-developed carapace that is fused to all the thoracic somites; (2) stalked and movable eyes, although in a few these have been secondarily reduced; (3) mandibles that lack a mobile element between the incisor and molar processes (except Mysidacea); (4) a telson without a caudal furca; (5) heart and gills that are thoracic in position; and (6) typically metamorphic larval development. See also Amphionidacea; Crustacea; Decapoda (Crustacea); Euphausiacea; Malacostraca; Mysidacea.

Eucarida
Meganyctiphanes norvegica, northern krill
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Arthropoda Subphylum: Crustacea Class: Malacostraca Subclass: Eumalacostraca Superorder: Eucarida Calman, 1904
Orders
Decapoda Euphausiacea Amphionidacea

Eucarida is a superorder of crustaceans, comprising the decapods, krill and Amphionides. They are characterised by having the carapace fused to all thoracic segments, and by the possession of stalked eyes.

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