Knowra Pleopod Pleopod A paired appendage on the abdomen of many crustaceans, used in swimming, ventilation, brooding, or reproduction. Pleopods vary in form and function across crustacean groups.
Crustacean : An arthropod in the subphylum Crustacea, typically bearing two pairs of antennae and biramous appendages. Pleopods are abdominal appendages found across many crustacean groups.
Swimming : Movement through water by producing thrust with body parts or appendages. Beating pleopods propel many crustaceans through water.
Pleopod swimmeret : A paddle-like abdominal appendage used for swimming in many crustaceans. Swimmerets are pleopods adapted chiefly for propulsion.
Pereiopod : A thoracic appendage of a crustacean, commonly used for walking, feeding, or prey capture. Pereiopods arise from the thorax, unlike abdominal pleopods.
Krill : Small, shrimp-like marine crustaceans in the order Euphausiacea. Krill use their abdominal pleopods as swimming appendages.
Arthropod : An invertebrate animal with a segmented body, jointed appendages, and a chitinous exoskeleton. Pleopods are specialized jointed appendages within this broader animal group.
Ventilation (biology) : The movement of water or air across a respiratory surface to support gas exchange. Pleopod strokes can drive water currents over gills or through brood spaces.
Gonopod : A reproductive appendage modified to transfer sperm in some arthropods. In many male decapods, the first pleopods form gonopods.
Uropod : A paired appendage on the final abdominal segment of many crustaceans, often forming part of a tail fan. Uropods occupy the abdomen’s terminal segment, behind the usual pleopod series.
Euphausiacea : The order of marine crustaceans commonly known as krill. Their repeated pleopod strokes support sustained swimming in open water.
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