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Chela (organ)

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(redirected from Cheliped)
"Chelae" redirects here. For other uses, see Chelae (disambiguation).
Minuca pugnax, like other members of the family Ocypodidae, have chelae of different sizes: a large left chela and a small right chela.

A chela (/ˈkiːlə/), also named claw, nipper, or pincer, is a pincer-like organ at the end of certain limbs of some arthropods.[1] The name comes from Greek (χηλή) through New Latin (chela). The plural form is chelae.[2] Legs bearing a chela are called chelipeds.[3] Another name is claw because most chelae are curved and have a sharp point like a claw.

See also

  • Pincer (biology)

References

  1. ^ Dean Pentcheff. "Chela". Crustacea glossary. Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County. Retrieved November 28, 2011.
  2. ^ George Gordh, Gordon Gordh & David Headrick (2003). A Dictionary of Entomology. CAB International. p. 182. ISBN 978-0-85199-655-4.
  3. ^ Dean Pentcheff. "Cheliped". Crustacea glossary. Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County. Retrieved November 28, 2011.


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