Axiidea
Axiidea is an infraorder of decapod crustaceans that includes ghost shrimps and mud lobsters, many of which burrow in marine sediments.
Decapoda: An order of crustaceans that includes shrimps, lobsters, crabs, and their relatives. Axiidea is an infraorder within this order.
Marine burrowing: The excavation and occupation of burrows by organisms in marine sediments. Burrowing is a defining habit of many Axiidea.
Ecosystem engineer: An organism that creates, modifies, or maintains habitat by changing physical conditions. Axiidean burrows restructure sediments and create habitat for other organisms.
Gebiidea: An infraorder of decapod crustaceans that includes mud shrimps and mud lobsters. Gebiidea is the closest major taxonomic counterpart to Axiidea in modern classifications.
Malacostraca: The largest class of crustaceans, including decapods, krill, and amphipods. Decapods, including Axiidea, belong to this class.
Bioturbation: The mixing and restructuring of sediment by living organisms. Axiidean digging moves sediment and changes its physical and chemical conditions.
Sediment transport: The movement of sediment by water, wind, ice, or living organisms. Excavation by axiideans relocates sediment within coastal and marine habitats.
Caridea: An infraorder of decapods that includes true shrimps. Carideans are true shrimps, unlike the burrowing ghost shrimps commonly grouped in Axiidea.
Crustacea: A diverse group of arthropods that includes crabs, lobsters, shrimps, and barnacles. Axiideans inherit the segmented body and jointed appendages characteristic of crustaceans.
Burrow: A tunnel or chamber excavated and occupied by an animal. Axiideans construct burrows that provide shelter and influence sediment exchange.