Prawn is a common name for small aquatic crustaceans with an exoskeleton and ten legs, belonging to the suborder Dendrobranchiata. They are closely related to shrimp, and are often confused with them. Prawns range in size from a few millimeters to up to almost a foot long, and can be found in both saltwater and freshwater habitats around the world. Prawns are popular as food due to their delicate flavor, texture, and versatility in recipes.Prawn is a common name used for any large shrimp, especially those in the sub-order Dendrobranchiata. They are typically found in saltwater environments and have a long, segmented body with a hard exoskeleton. Prawns are a popular seafood delicacy in many cultures around the world.
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Classification of Prawn Animal
Prawns are a type of aquatic crustacean found in both saltwater and freshwater habitats. They are related to lobsters, crabs, and shrimp and belong to the order Decapoda. Prawns have an elongated body, two pairs of antennae, three pairs of maxillae, five pairs of legs, and a well-developed tail.
Prawns can be divided into two main types: the freshwater species and the marine species. Freshwater prawns live in lakes, ponds, rivers, estuaries and other bodies of fresh water. Marine prawns inhabit coastal waters around the world from the tropics to the polar regions.
The most common species of prawn are the giant tiger prawn (Penaeus monodon), which is widely harvested for consumption as food; the whiteleg shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei), which is also extensively farmed for human consumption; and Caridina nilotica, which is commonly kept as an aquarium pet.
Prawns are generally divided into three groups based on their body size: small (<2 cm), medium (2-5 cm) and large (>5 cm). They can also be classified according to their habitat: benthic (bottom dwelling), epibenthic (on or near bottoms) or pelagic (swimming in open water).
Prawns play an important role in aquatic ecosystems by consuming detritus and algae but they are also an important food source for many species of fish and birds. They are also extensively cultivated for human consumption all over the world.
In conclusion, prawns can be classified into two types based on their habitat: freshwater species or marine species; or three groups based on their body size: small (<2 cm), medium (2-5 cm) or large (>5 cm); as well as according to their habitat: benthic (bottom dwelling), epibenthic (on or near bottoms) or pelagic (swimming in open water). Prawns provide a vital source of food for many animals and humans alike.
Appearance
Prawns are a type of decapod crustacean, characterised by their long bodies and large claws. They can be found in both fresh and saltwater environments, and come in a wide variety of sizes and colours. Most prawns are generally brown or grey in colour, although some species may have colourful markings. The body of the prawn is segmented, with five pairs of legs and two sets of antennae.
Diet
Prawns are omnivorous creatures, meaning they feed on both plant matter and small animals. In the wild, they mostly consume algae, worms, insect larvae, small fish and other crustaceans. They also scavenge for dead animals and plant material. In captivity, they can be fed a variety of prepared foods such as flakes or pellets specifically designed for prawns.
Behaviour
Prawns are generally solitary creatures that live in burrows under rocks or in other hiding places during the day. At night they become more active, moving around to search for food. They use their large claws to capture prey and to defend themselves from predators. Prawns are also known to clean themselves by rubbing their antennae against their legs to remove dirt or parasites from their bodies.
Reproduction
Most species of prawn reproduce by laying eggs that hatch into larvae before developing into adults. During mating season males will court females with courtship displays that involve waving their antennae or performing ‘dance-like’ movements with their bodies. After mating the female will lay her eggs which she attaches to her body until they hatch into larvae which she releases into the water column where they will develop until adulthood.
External Anatomy
Prawns are crustaceans with a hard exoskeleton and jointed appendages. The external anatomy of a prawn includes its head, thorax and abdomen. Its head features compound eyes, two pairs of antennae, and four pairs of mouthparts used for feeding. It has five pairs of jointed thoracic legs; the first pair are modified into pincers or chelae for grasping food. Its abdomen has three distinct regions: the pleon, which is divided into six segments; pleopods on the underside for swimming; and an uropod at the tip for further propulsion.
Skeletal System
The skeletal system of a prawn is made up of an exoskeleton composed mainly of calcium carbonate, which provides protection and support to the animal’s body. It also contains muscles that attach to its endoskeleton, allowing it to move its legs and other appendages. The exoskeleton is hardened by sclerites, which are small plates connected together by chitin fibers.
Digestive System
The digestive system of a prawn consists of the mouth, esophagus, stomach, intestine and anus. The mouthparts include two pairs of mandibles used for crushing food as well as two maxillae used for tasting food before it is ingested. Food enters the esophagus where it is broken down by enzymes released from glands in its walls before passing through to the stomach where it is further digested by gastric juices secreted from glands in its walls. The partially digested food then moves through to the intestine where it is further broken down before being passed out via the anus as waste material or excrement.
Circulatory System
The circulatory system of a prawn consists primarily of an open circulatory system with a heart located in its thorax region that pumps blood around its body via arteries and veins in order to deliver oxygenated blood to various parts of its body. This oxygenated blood then travels back to the heart via veins where it is pumped around again in order to complete this cycle over and over again until all parts of its body have received oxygenated blood that they need in order to function correctly.
Respiratory System
The respiratory system of a prawn consists mainly of gills located on either side near their heads which absorb dissolved oxygen from water that passes over them during respiration cycles before releasing carbon dioxide back into their environment via diffusion through their gill membranes. Prawns can also breathe air directly without needing an additional organ or structure due to their specialized gill structure formed from several filaments containing lamellae that increases their surface area for maximum absorption efficiency when breathing air instead of water based liquids such as water or sea water.
Reproduction in Prawn Animal
Prawns are a type of crustacean that reproduces through internal fertilization. The male prawn deposits sperm into the female’s oviduct and she will then lay eggs which have been fertilized. The eggs are usually laid in a watery habitat, such as a pond, lake or the ocean.
Once the eggs have been laid, they will hatch within a few days and become nauplii – tiny larvae that feed on microscopic organisms such as plankton. As they grow, they will molt several times until they reach adulthood. Depending on the species, prawns may reach maturity anywhere from two months to two years after hatching.
When it comes to sexual maturity, male prawns generally reach maturity earlier than females do. Males are typically ready to mate at around 6 months old while females may take up to 12 months or more before they are mature enough to reproduce.
After mating, the female prawns will lay their eggs and guard them until they hatch and the larvae emerge. The adult prawns will then feed on small insects and crustaceans until they reach adulthood themselves. Prawns can live for several years in the wild and some species can even live for up to 10 years or more!
Habitat of Prawn Animal
Prawns are found in both cold and warm waters, although they are most commonly found in tropical and subtropical oceans. They inhabit shallow waters, usually living near the bottom of the ocean or riverbeds. Many species of prawns prefer to live in areas with sandy or muddy bottoms, as this provides them with optimal camouflage from predators. Some species may live in deeper water but come nearer to shore during breeding seasons. Prawns can also be found in estuaries, lagoons, and mangrove swamps.
Distribution of Prawn Animal
Prawns can be found throughout the world’s oceans and coastal areas. Most species are widely distributed in tropical and subtropical waters, while a few are more common in temperate climates. The majority of prawn species inhabit shallow coastal waters, but some may be found at depths up to 2000 meters. While some species live alone, others form large colonies that inhabit a specific area for long periods of time.
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