Valvifera

Valvifera
Glyptonotus antarcticus (Chaetiliidae)
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Crustacea
Class: Malacostraca
Order: Isopoda
Suborder: Valvifera
Sars, 1882

The Valvifera are marine isopod crustaceans. Valviferans are distinguished, however, by the flat, valve-like uropods which hinge laterally and fold inward beneath the rear part of their bodies, covering the pleopods.[1] Some species are omnivorous, and serve as effective scavengers in the economy of the sea. Eleven families are recognised:[2]

References

  1. J. K. Lowry (1999). "Valvifera (Isopoda, Peracarida, Malacostraca)". Crustacea, the Higher Taxa: Description, Identification, and Information Retrieval. Retrieved June 4, 2010.
  2. WoRMS (2012). M. Schotte, C. B. Boyko, N. L. Bruce, G. C. B. Poore, S. Taiti & G. D. F. Wilson, eds. "Valvifera". World Marine, Freshwater and Terrestrial Isopod Crustaceans database. World Register of Marine Species. Retrieved November 24, 2012.


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