Crayfish Dissection Procedure

Specimen: Crayfish
Background Information:

1. Crayfish are members of the crusteacans and are cousins of the lobster.
2. They are primarily detrivores feeding of dead animals and plants.
3. They breathe through their feather-like gills and can breathe out of water for a period of time.
4. Fun Fact: Crayfish can be yellow, pink, red, dark brown or blue.

This the external anatomy of the Crayfish from the dorsal view. The abdomen is one of the divided parts of the crayfish. The Carapace is part of the exoskeleton that covers the cephalothorax. The uropod is the 6th segment of the abdomen. It can be found on both sides of the crayfish telsons. 

External anatomy from the Ventral view.  The cheliped is a claw the crayfish uses to catch pray and use for defense. The walking legs are a locomotion. The swimmerets are functioned appendages that create water currents over gills.

Internal features Dorsal view. Anterior gastric muscle is referring to the stomach. The green gland is apart of the excretory system. It filters waste from the blood.  The mandibular muscle is used to move mandibles. The pyloric muscle is for food that enters the crayfish from the stomach. The gills are the breathing structure of a crayfish

Internal Features of the Crayfish. The digestive gland function is to create digestive substances from their nutrients. The maxillae is responsible for letting pieces of food get to mouth.undigested substances are destroyed by the anus. All intestines are attached to the lobed stomach.