External features of Penaeus
Cephalothorax antennule antenna antennal flagellum scaphocerite carapace maxilliped pereopods compound eye rostrum Abdomen pleopods abdominal segments Tail uropods telson
	The primary function of the scaphocerite is as a lateral stabilizing fin. Its articulation enables it to be moved laterally during the "backward flip" escape reaction. The large upwardly sloping ventral surface of the scaphocerite may also provide an upward lift for the cephalothorax during forward swimming, but this has not been demonstrated. It also forms much of the ventral floor of the inhalent respiratory tube (Dall et al., 1990).