Skip to main content
Glite Dictionary
malacostracan

malacostracan

9.9
A large group of sea animals like crabs, lobsters, and shrimp
  • noun
  • /ˌmæl.əˈkɒs.trə.kən/
  • Specialized
: malacostraco
  • The lobster is a type of malacostracan found in many ocean habitats around the world.

Examples

  • Scientists discovered a new species of malacostracan in the deep sea.

  • Most large shrimp belong to the malacostracan subclass of crustaceans.

  • The malacostracan is a fascinating creature.

  • Many malacostracans inhabit marine environments.

  • Many species of malacostracan can be found living in coral reefs, providing essential roles in the ecosystem.

  • The malacostracan classification includes familiar seafood like shrimp and crabs that are popular in many cuisines.

  • Biologists study the anatomy of malacostracan crustaceans to understand their adaptations to aquatic life.

Synonyms

crustacean
vsmalacostracan
  • Specialized
1 5.9

Relating to animals with a hard outer shell, like crabs

is a narrower subgroup within that class defined by nineteen to twenty body segments

Surface Forms

malacostracan singular
malacostracans plural

Morphology

malacostracan = Malacostraca (semi-transparent) = malacostraca + an

The form is a regular derivation forming a member/demonym from the taxonomic name 'Malacostraca' using the productive suffix '-an'.

Etymology

Malacostracan comes from Greek parts malakos and ostrakon, which mean 'soft' and 'shell'. Think of a 'soft-shell crab' — that image helps because malacostracan is the name for crabs, lobsters and shrimp, animals that shed their shells and can be soft for a time.