Notostraca (Noun)
Meaning
Small freshwater crustaceans with a shield-shaped carapace.
Classification
Nouns denoting animals.
Examples
- The notostraca are small freshwater crustaceans characterized by a shield-shaped carapace that covers their body.
- Notostraca have been around for over 200 million years, with fossil records showing little change in their body structure over time.
- In the aquatic food chain, notostraca serve as both predators and prey, feeding on algae and small animals, and being consumed by fish and frogs.
- Notostraca are often referred to as "tadpole shrimp" due to their distinctive body shape, which resembles a fish tail with a rounded head.
- The notostraca class includes several species, such as the Triops longicaudatus, which is commonly found in temporary freshwater pools and ponds.