The Valvifera are marine

isopod Isopoda is an order of crustaceans that includes woodlice and their relatives. Isopods live in the sea, in fresh water, or on land. All have rigid, segmented exoskeletons, two pairs of antennae, seven pairs of jointed limbs on the thorax, an ...

crustacean Crustaceans (Crustacea, ) form a large, diverse arthropod taxon which includes such animals as decapods, seed shrimp, branchiopods, fish lice, krill, remipedes, isopods, barnacles, copepods, amphipods and mantis shrimp. The crustacean group ...

s. Valviferans are distinguished, however, by the flat, valve-like

uropod Uropods are posterior appendages found on a wide variety of crustaceans. They typically have functions in locomotion. Definition Uropods are often defined as the appendages of the last body segment of a crustacean. An alternative definition sugge ...

s which hinge laterally and fold inward beneath the rear part of their bodies, covering the

pleopod The decapod ( crustaceans such as a crab, lobster, shrimp or prawn) is made up of 20 body segments grouped into two main body parts: the cephalothorax and the pleon (abdomen). Each segment may possess one pair of appendages, although in various ...

s. Some species are

omnivorous An omnivore () is an animal that has the ability to eat and survive on both plant and animal matter. Obtaining energy and nutrients from plant and animal matter, omnivores digest carbohydrates, protein, fat, and fiber, and metabolize the nutri ...

, and serve as effective

scavenger Scavengers are animals that consume dead organisms that have died from causes other than predation or have been killed by other predators. While scavenging generally refers to carnivores feeding on carrion, it is also a herbivorous feeding b ...

s in the economy of the sea. Eleven

families Family (from la, familia) is a group of people related either by consanguinity (by recognized birth) or affinity (by marriage or other relationship). The purpose of the family is to maintain the well-being of its members and of society. Ideall ...

are recognised: *

Antarcturidae Antarcturidae is a family of marine isopods belonging to the suborder Valvifera The Valvifera are marine isopod crustaceans. Valviferans are distinguished, however, by the flat, valve-like uropods which hinge laterally and fold inward benea ...

Poore, 2001 (17 genera) *

Arcturidae The Arcturidae are a family of marine isopod crustaceans in the suborder Valvifera. Members of the family resemble woodlice and are found globally in cooler areas in shallow seas. Description The head is incapable of rotating laterally. Two pai ...

Dana, 1849 (14 genera) * Arcturididae Poore, 2001 (one genus) * Austrarcturellidae Poore & Bardsley, 1992 (five genera) *

Chaetiliidae The Chaetiliidae are a family of isopod crustaceans in the suborder Valvifera The Valvifera are marine isopod crustaceans. Valviferans are distinguished, however, by the flat, valve-like uropods which hinge laterally and fold inward beneath ...

Dana, 1849 (13 genera) *

Holidoteidae Holidoteidae is a family of marine isopods belonging to the suborder Valvifera The Valvifera are marine isopod crustaceans. Valviferans are distinguished, however, by the flat, valve-like uropods which hinge laterally and fold inward beneat ...

Wägele, 1989 (three genera) * Holognathidae Thomson, 1904 (five genera) *

Idoteidae The Idoteidae are a family (biology), family of isopod crustaceans. It includes these genera: *''Austridotea'' Poore, 2001 *''Batedotea'' Poore & Lew Ton, 1993 *''Cleantiella'' Richardson, 1912 *''Colidotea'' Richardson, 1899 *''Crabyzos'' Bate, ...

Samouelle, 1819 (22 genera) * Pseudidotheidae Ohlin, 1901 (one genus) *

Rectarcturidae Rectarcturidae is a family of marine isopods belonging to the suborder Valvifera The Valvifera are marine isopod crustaceans. Valviferans are distinguished, however, by the flat, valve-like uropods which hinge laterally and fold inward bene ...

Poore, 2001 (one genus) * Xenarcturidae Sheppard, 1957 (one genus)

References

Isopoda Arthropod suborders {{crustacean-stub