Crustaceans are a type of invertebrate (an animal without a backbone) called an arthropod. These animals have a body made up of many parts and jointed limbs. Unlike other anthropods, crustaceans have two pairs of antennae.

The most commonly found crustaceans in Gladstone Ports Corporation's (GPC) port areas are:

• Prawns - Tiger (Penaeus monodon) and Banana (Penaeus merguiensis)

• Green mud crabs (Scylla serrata)

• Lobsters (Panulirus ornatus)

• Orange-fingered crayfish or ‘yabbie’ (Cherax depressus)

• Barnacles (Cirripedia).

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Crustaceans are important to ecosystems as they help in the circulation of nutrients through burrowing. They also act as scavengers feeding on decaying material. A large number of crab holes also indicates the positive health of mangroves.

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Click on the links below for more information on crustaceans and our environmental initiatives.