Shrimp is a decadent crustacean

This creation of nature has a rather unusual appearance. Shrimp is an inhabitant of the water world, and it's fun to follow their behavior, diving in a mask, for example, in tropical waters. If you stir lush algae, these crustaceans begin to jump out, like grasshoppers.

Shrimp. Definition

This animal has optimally adapted to the living conditions in the sea depths, which undoubtedly affected its structure. Shrimp is who? Crustacean from the order of decapod crustaceans (there are a total of 250 genera and about 2,000 species). Caridea (the so-called inhabitants of the seas and oceans in a scientific way) are widespread throughout the oceans and seas, are found even in some fresh water reservoirs, the most diverse species in tropical waters. They are abundant in the Black Sea, the Azov Sea. To the question "Shrimp is an animal or not?" - the answer is definitely positive, since all arthropods are representatives of the animal kingdom.

Structure

The body elongated along its length is slightly flattened at the sides. It will be divided into two main segments: abdomen, cephalothorax. The second section is half the whole body. At the beginning of the carapace of the cephalothorax there are a pair of eyes that are in special indentations. The cephalothorax protects the chitinous shell, hard and durable, formed from 2 plates and attached to the gills. But the lower part of the shell is soft. The sizes of different species range from 2 to 30 centimeters.

The organs of sight

Shrimp is an unusual animal that has different eyesight: day and night. Each of her eyes consists of a huge number of facets, and with age, their number is growing. The segment segments are separated by pigment spots. And each element perceives those rays that fall perpendicular to the cornea. This vision can be called mosaic. Typically, at night, pigments diverge at the base of the eyes, and oblique rays can reach the retina: the shrimp sees the objects already completely, but their outlines are blurred.

Shrimp is a decadent crustacean

Despite the fact that these marine inhabitants are ranked among a group of decapods, in fact they have as many as nineteen pairs of limbs. And each is responsible for a certain action. Antennae, for example, are used for touch, and thin and long legs, at the end of which there are small claws, perform a special task - with their help the animal cleanses its body and gills, if clogged. Other legs are used to move along the bottom, they are larger and longer than others. And the extremities of the abdomen are used when the crustacean is to be sailed. At the end of the body is a wide, strong fin. He abruptly bends, giving the opportunity to move around in jerks. When the shrimp stops and settles, for example, on algae, it drives in all directions with its long antennas.

What they eat

Shrimp is an omnivore. The menu of these water inhabitants consists of plankton, as well as algae, even soil. Usually a huge number of shrimps of some species are located near the fishing nets: they so quickly eat up the caught fish that, if they do not get the gear in time, fishermen can get only bare skeletons.

Their food is found by means of smell and touch. With the loss of antennas or eyes, this time can significantly increase. In this case, the animal uses the fingers of the walking legs and the bristles of the mouth appendages - they are highly sensitive.

Reproduction

Shrimp are bisexual, but male and female corresponding glands are formed at different times. At the onset of puberty, the individual first becomes a male, and in the third year of his life is transformed into the opposite, female sex. Females glue the eggs on the hairs of the abdominal legs, and then bear offspring (literally - carry it with them) until the hatching larvae appear from the eggs.

Delicatessens

And these animals are traditionally eaten. Recipes of dishes of cooking, including these seafood as ingredients, are popular among different peoples, mainly living on the coasts. Like many other seafood, these crustaceans are rich in protein and calcium, including a small amount of calories. Dishes with shrimp are a good source of "right" cholesterol and as food, undoubtedly, are a tasty and useful delicacy.