IDENTIFICATION (with reason) OF Macrobrachium sp. (B.Sc. ZOOLOGY_CCF-CC5_SEM4)

 Identifying features are:

1. Multicellular heterotroph.
2. embryonic development, preceded by heterogametic fertilization.

            Hence, the specimen belongs to the Kingdom Animalia.

1. Segmented body covered by chitinous cuticle.
2. Body segment bear paired externally jointed appendages.
3. Anterior photoreceptors are present.

           Hence, the specimen belongs to the Phylum Arthropoda.

1. Carapace is covered the dorsal surface.
2. Head bears a pair of compound eyes located on movable stalk.
3. Two pairs of pre oral & Three pairs of post oral appendages are present on the head.
4. Antennules are uniramous but other appendages are biramous.
5. Phyllopodium or Stenopodium are biramous appendages.

               Hence, the specimen belongs to the Sub Phylum Crustacea.

1. Stalked eye
2. Eight segments are present in thorax & six or seven on abdomen.
3. Fan like tail has uropod & telson.
4. Compound eyes.

            Hence, the specimen belongs to the Class Malacostraca.

1. Antenna without three flagella.
2. Seventh abdominal segment lacking.

            Hence, the specimen belongs to the Sub Class Eumalacostraca.

1. Elongated spindle shaped body.
2. Carapace well developed drawn anteriorly into a rostrum.
3. Elongated rostrum.
4. Presence of antennal & hepatic spine.
5. 19 pairs biramous appendages (5 pairs cephalic,8 pairs thoracic,6 pairs abdominal)
6. First & second thoracic legs chelate, second pair is larger.

             Hence, the specimen belongs to the Genus Macrobrachium

Systematic Position (Ruppert & Barnes 1994)

 Kingdom: Animalia

   Phylum: Arthropoda

         Sub Phylum :Crustacea

                 Class: Malacostraca

                     Sub Class: Eumalacostraca

                           Genus: Macrobrachium