Crustacean: meaning, definitions and examples

Used to describe a broad category of aquatic animals with a hard shell, typically for scientific or educational contexts.

• Crabs and lobsters are common examples of crustaceans.
• Marine biologists study crustaceans to understand marine ecosystems.

Specifically refers to marine animals with shells, usually in culinary contexts. This term is also used in relation to allergies.

• She is allergic to shellfish, so she avoids shrimp and oysters.
• Clams, mussels, and scallops are types of shellfish.

Used when referring to food that comes from the sea, commonly in culinary contexts.

• The restaurant's menu features a variety of seafood dishes.
• I love eating fresh seafood when I'm on the coast.

Use this term when referring specifically to members of the large, diverse group that includes crabs, lobsters, crayfish, shrimp, and barnacles. Crustacean is appropriate in scientific contexts and in situations where precision is important.

• The marine biologist specialized in the study of crustaceans.
• Lobsters are a type of crustacean commonly found in seafood dishes.

This term is broader and can be used when referring to a member of the phylum Arthropoda, which includes not only crustaceans but also insects, arachnids, and myriapods. Use it in scientific discussions that cover a wide range of species within this phylum.

• Insects, spiders, and crustaceans all belong to the arthropod family.
• Arthropods are characterized by their exoskeletons and segmented bodies.

Use this term when referring to animals lacking a backbone. It includes not only arthropods but also mollusks, cnidarians, and many other groups. Suitable in general biological discussions and educational contexts.

• Jellyfish, worms, and insects are examples of invertebrates.
• The study of invertebrates is crucial for understanding biodiversity.