Tanaids

Tanaids are a small order of crustacean crustaceans belonging to the Malacostraca class. They are characterized by their elongated, segmented bodies and the presence of a pair of large, chelate (pincer-like) appendages called chelipeds, which are used for defense and manipulation. Tanaids are typically found in marine environments, inhabiting a wide range of substrates including mud, sand, and rocks. They are often small, with adults usually measuring between 1 and 10 millimeters in length.

These crustaceans exhibit a wide diversity of life forms and ecological roles. Many species are benthic detritivores, feeding on decaying organic matter found on the seafloor. Others are scavengers, consuming dead animals, or even predators, preying on small invertebrates. Tanaids play an important role in marine ecosystems as part of the detrital food web and as a food source for larger organisms. Their reproductive strategies vary, but most species have separate sexes and undergo direct development, where young hatch as miniature adults. The order Tanaidacea is divided into several families, with ongoing research continually refining their classification and understanding of their evolutionary relationships. They are a common but often overlooked component of benthic marine fauna worldwide.