Subclass HOPLOCARIDA Calman, 1904

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Introduction

The subclass Hoplocarida includes the 'mantis-shrimps' and is represented only by a single Recent order, the Stomatopoda. Their fossil record is poor, but hoplocarid ancestors appear to have diverged from other malacostracans during the Devonian (Hof 1998).

Diagnosis

Head with two movable anterior somites bearing pedunculate eyes and triramous antennules; antennae with protopod of two segments; mandible without lacinia mobilis. Cephalothorax partly covered by well-developed carapace; first five pairs of thoracic appendages subchelate, second to fifth pairs subequal, or with second pair developed as powerful raptorial claws and distinctly larger than others; posterior thoracic appendages with protopod of three segments. Abdomen with biramous pleopods; telson with fixed median spine and with or without styliform furca, or with broad carinate tailpiece lacking fixed spine and furca. Development with metamorphosis, free-swimming nauplius stage not present. (Modified after Moore 1969).

General References

Hof, C.H.J. 1998. Fossil stomatopods (Crustacea: Malacostraca) and their phylogenetic impact. Journal of Natural History 32(10/11): 1567-1576

Moore, R.C. 1969. Hoplocarida. R533 in Moore, R.C. (ed.). Treatise on Invertebrate Paleontology. Part R. Arthropoda 4 Crustacea (except Ostracoda) Myriapoda — Hexapoda. Laurence, Kansas : The University of Kansas and The Geological Society of America, Inc. Vol. 2 pp. R399-R651.

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