Platypezoidea

Platypezoidea is a superfamily of crustaceans belonging to the order Decapoda. It is a diverse group that includes several families, with the most well-known being the Platypodidae, which contains the familiar box shrimp. Platypezoidea is characterized by their flattened, box-like carapace, which is a unique feature among crustaceans. This carapace is often used for defense, as the shrimp can close it tightly to protect themselves from predators.

The superfamily Platypezoidea is found in various marine and brackish water habitats around the world. They are typically scavengers or predators, feeding on a variety of small organisms. Some species are also known to be hermaphroditic, meaning they have both male and female reproductive organs.

The taxonomy of Platypezoidea is still a topic of ongoing research. While the superfamily is well-defined, the relationships between the various families and genera within it are not fully understood. This makes Platypezoidea an interesting subject for further study in the field of crustacean taxonomy.