Crayfish

Crayfish(Procambarus clarkii)

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In the image above you can observe the feather-like margins of a uropod. The sample has been taken from the shed exoskeleton of a crayfish. The uropod represents a posterior appendage and forms together with the telson the fan-shaped tail of most crustaceans - in this case of a crayfish belonging to the Procambarus clarkii species. The tail plays an important role in locomotion. In the water, if startled, the crayfish uses rapid flips of its tail to swim backwards and escape danger.