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The classification of the Decapoda has been studied, revised and revised again. Following the Challenger expedition, Bate (1888) identified the Suborder Macrura and three divisions within this; the Trichobranchiata, the Dendrobranchiata and the Phyllobranchiata. The name Macrura refers to the long tail and well developed abdomen of most decapods. While Bate's three divisions are no longer accepted, the terms refer to the three main gill types seen in decapods, trichobranchiate, dendrobranchiate and phyllobranchiate.
In 1907, Borradaile divided the Decapoda into two suborders, the Natantia and Reptantia. The Natantia (meaning "swimmers") are all those forms that swam in the water column and include the tribes Penaeides, Carides and Stenopides. It has since been found to be an unnatural group, with members derived from different ancestors. On the other hand, reptant (meaning "crawling") decapods turn out to be a true group (clade).
So, where does decapod classification stand at the moment? Unfortunately there is no up-to-date listing, which includes both fossil and extant clades, but the classification given here (although ignoring groups only found as fossils) does show which taxa have fossil lineages.
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| DECAPODA Latreille, 1802 | DENDROBRANCHIATA Bate, 1888 |
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| PLEOCYEMATA, Burkenroad, 1963 | STENOPODOIDEA Claus, 1872 |
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| CARIDEA Dana, 1852 |
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| THALASSINOIDEA Latreille, 1802 |
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| ASTACIDEA Latreille, 1802 |
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| PALINURA Latreille, 1802 |
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| ANOMURA MacLeay, 1838 |
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| BRACHYURA Latreille, 1802 |
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