Narrow-Clawed Crayfish – Anatomy

The body of this crustaceous is divided into two main parts, the cephalothorax, which consists of the head and upper body (thorax), and then the flexible abdomen. The body is covered by a hard exoskeleton that protects the vital organs and part of the head.

Starting on the head, it is possible to see a set of eyes that move independently. They also have two sets of antennas that gather information. Strong mandibles are present and open from side to side. The thorax has four segments and each one contains a pair of walking legs.

Crayfish digestive system is composed of a two-part stomach: The cardiac stomach and the pyloric stomach. On each side of the pyloric stomach there is a digestive gland.

The excretory structures, green glands, act as the kidneys. The vascular system of the crayfish has no veins and the ventral nervous system of the crayfish consists on a mass of nerve ganglion (brain) with nerves connecting it to the eyes and antennae. Two nerves leave the brain forming the ventral nerve cord which runs to the end of the abdomen.