Chelae

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 called a claw, nipper, or pincer – is a pincer-shaped organ at the end of certain limbs of some arthropods.[1] The name comes from Ancient Greek χηλή, through Neo-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.

Arthropod chela mechanics.

Chelae can be present at the tips of arthropod legs as well as their pedipalps. Chelae are distinct from spider chelicerae in that they do not contain venomous glands and cannot distribute venom.

  1. ^ Pentcheff, Dean. "Chela". Crustacea glossary. Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County. Archived from the original on August 16, 2016. Retrieved November 28, 2011.
  2. ^ Gordh, Gordon; Headrick, David (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. Archived from the original on April 26, 2012. Retrieved November 28, 2011.