
The chelicerae, which give the group its name, are the only appendages that appear before the mouth. In most sub-groups, they are modest pincers used to feed. However, spiders' chelicerae form fangs that most species use to inject venom into prey.
What is the function of the chelicerae?
In many forms they are chelate, or pincerlike, and are used to hold and crush prey. Among spiders the basal segment of the chelicerae contains venom sacs, and the second segment, the fang, injects… The first pair, the chelicerae, often have claws or fangs. They are used to capture prey (spiders), transport a spermatophore (sunspiders,...
What are the chelicerae and pedipalps used for?
The first pair, the chelicerae, often have claws or fangs. They are used to capture prey (spiders), transport a spermatophore (sunspiders, some mites and ticks), produce sounds (sunspiders, some spiders), cut strands of silk (web-dwelling spiders), and produce silk (pseudoscorpions). The pedipalps, the second pair, likewise are often highly…
What are chelicerae used for in spiders?
Some chelicerae, such as those found on nearly all spiders, are hollow and contain (or are connected to) venom glands, and are used to inject venom into prey or a perceived threat.
Are chelicerae arthropods?
The chelicerae (/kəˈlɪsəriː/) are the mouthparts of the Chelicerata, an arthropod group that includes arachnids, horseshoe crabs, and sea spiders.

What is the function of the chelicerae in scorpions?
Despite this, one key characteristic is shared by all arachnids: two chelicerae, used for piercing, grasping, or chewing up food. In this case, each scorpion chelicera has a fixed and movable finger, giving this scorpion a somewhat toothy “smile.”
How do spiders use chelicerae?
Spiders employ their chelicerae to seize and immobilize their prey targets. The chelicerae attach to their venom glands. Spiders also have tiny mouthparts in the back of their chelicerae -- the labrum and labium.
What are chelicerae in biology?
Chelicerae are jointed appendages near the mouth of some arthropods (spiders, scorpions, crustacea). These arthropods are known as the Chelicerata.
What is the difference between chelicerae and pedipalps?
They are characterized by having two body regions, a cephalothorax and an abdomen. They also have 6 pairs of appendages: 4 pairs of legs and 2 pairs of mouthpart appendages, the first are called chelicerae (hence, the subphylum Chelicerata). The second pair of mouthpart appendages are called pedipalps.
Can spiders shoot venom?
These spiders are unusual for a number of reasons, each one of which is nothing short of fascinating no matter how boring you may typically find spiders. For example, spitting spiders eject a deadly substance from their venom glands at a rate of 28 meters per second.
What's the biggest spider in the world?
the goliath bird-eaterWith a leg span nearly a foot wide, the goliath bird-eater is the world's biggest spider. And it has a special defense mechanism to keep predators from considering it as a meal.
What animals have chelicerae?
The chelicerae (/kəˈlɪsəriː/) are the mouthparts of the Chelicerata, an arthropod group that includes arachnids, horseshoe crabs, and sea spiders. Commonly referred to as "jaws", chelicerae may be shaped as either articulated fangs, or similarly to pincers.
What is the function of a spider's chelicerae quizlet?
Chelicerae contain fangs and are used to stab and paralyze prey.
Do insects chelicerae?
Ticks are classified with the class Arachnida, the group that contains the familiar spiders and scorpions. Arachnids have chelicerae, which are appendages with pincerlike or scissorlike cutting edges, instead of mandibles. There is no head or thorax such as occurs in insects.
How are chelicerae modified in spiders?
In true spiders, the chelicerae are modified into fangs with poison glands, while the pedipalps of the males are modified for copulation. In horseshoe crabs the second appendages are walking legs that do not differ from the other four pairs; all five pairs of walking legs bear claws.
What is the difference between chelicerae and mandibles?
Chelicerates body is divided into cephalothorax and abdomen, while the mandibulates body is divided into head, thorax, and abdomen. Moreover, chelicerates do not possess antenna while mandibulates have one or two pairs of antennae.
Do spiders have brains?
Spider Brain One of the most amazing things about spiders is how much they can accomplish with such a small brain. The spider's central nervous system is made up of two relatively simple ganglia, or nerve cell clusters, connected to nerves leading to the spider's various muscles and sensory systems.
Do spiders have chelicerae?
Some chelicerae, such as those found on nearly all spiders, are hollow and contain (or are connected to) venom glands, and are used to inject venom into prey or a perceived threat.
How are chelicerae modified in spiders?
In true spiders, the chelicerae are modified into fangs with poison glands, while the pedipalps of the males are modified for copulation. In horseshoe crabs the second appendages are walking legs that do not differ from the other four pairs; all five pairs of walking legs bear claws.
How do spiders make webs?
Spider silk is made of connected protein chains that help make it strong, along with unconnected areas that give it flexibility. It is produced in internal glands, moving from a soluble form to a hardened form and then spun into fiber by the spinnerets on the spider's abdomen.
What is the function of a spider's chelicerae quizlet?
Chelicerae contain fangs and are used to stab and paralyze prey.
How do chelicerae digest food?
Chelicerae initiate digestion by tearing the prey into smaller particles, which are collected in the preoral cavity.
Why is FPLC method so promising?
This FPLC method is a promising one because of its speed, simplicity, and reproducibility.
What are chelicerae?
mites and ticks. In acarid: External features. The chelicerae are basically three-segmented pincerlike appendages; however, as a result of the diverse feeding habits of some mites, chelicerae sometimes are modified as piercing organs (stylets).
Which segment of the chelicerae contains venom sacs?
Among spiders the basal segment of the chelicerae contains venom sacs, and the second segment, the fang, injects…. Read More. In arachnid: External features. The first pair, the chelicerae, often have claws or fangs.
What are horseshoe crab legs?
horseshoe crabs. …legs: the first pair, called chelicerae, are used exclusively to seize worms, thin-shelled mollusks, crabs, and other prey. The mouth is surrounded by the next five pairs of legs, which are used both for walking and for eating. Spiny biting projections at the base of each leg tear the food….
How many species of chelicerates are there?
There are about 77,000 living species of chelicerate s. Chelicerates have two body segments (tagmenta) and six pairs of appendages. Four pairs of appendages are used for walking ...
How many body segments does a chelicerate have?
Chelicerates have two body segments (tagmenta) and six pairs of appendages. Four pairs of appendages are used for walking and two (the chelicerae and the pedipalps) are used as mouthparts. Chelicerates have no mandibles and no antennae. Chelicerates are an ancient group of arthropods that first evolved about 500 million years ago.
Why can't chelicerates eat solid food?
Most chelicerates suck liquid food from their prey. Many chelicerates (such as scorpions and spiders) are unable to eat solid food due to their narrow gut. Instead, they must expel digestive enzymes onto their prey. The prey liquifies and they can then ingest the food.
