Definition

Noun: A taxonomic suborder within the order Decapoda, comprising swimming decapod crustaceans. This group traditionally included shrimp, prawns, and similar animals characterized by a slender body adapted for swimming, often with a well-developed tail fan.

Usage

The term is used in scientific biological classification (taxonomy) to group specific marine animals. * The biologist studied the anatomical features common to members of the suborder Natantia. * Suborder Natantia was historically distinguished from the suborder Reptantia (the walking decapods like crabs and lobsters).

Advanced Usage

• The classification suborder Natantia is considered paraphyletic in modern cladistics and is less commonly used in current scientific literature. More precise groupings like infraorders Caridea (true shrimp) and Dendrobranchiata (prawns) are now preferred.

Variants and Related Words

• Natant (adjective): Swimming or floating. This is the root adjective from which "Natantia" is derived.
  • The natant organisms were collected in the plankton net.
• Reptantia (noun): The contrasting suborder of decapods containing the crawling or walking forms (e.g., crabs, lobsters, crayfish).

Synonyms

• Swimming decapods
• Pleocyemata (in part, as Natantia is an older subdivision within this larger group)

Related Terms (Taxonomic Context)

• Decapoda: The larger order containing all ten-legged crustaceans, including both Natantia and Reptantia.
• Caridea: Infraorder for true shrimp.
• Dendrobranchiata: Infraorder for prawns.

Noun

1. shrimp; prawns; etc.