Chelicerae
mouthparts of chelicerate
The chelicerae () are the mouthparts of the subphylum 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 as a type of pincers. Some chelicerae, such as those found on nearly all spiders, are hollow and contain (or are connected to) venom glands, used to inject venom into prey or a perceived threat. Both pseudoscorpions and harvestmen—neither of which have that venom channel—have additional structures on their chelicerae that are used for grooming (papillae in pseudoscorpions, cheliceral teeth in Opiliones). In many spider species, males and females have sexually dimorphic chelicerae.
Types
Chelicerae can be divided into three kinds: jackknife chelicerae, scissor chelicerae, and three-segmented chelate (pincer-like) chelicerae. The earliest known chelicerae-bearing arthropod, the Cambrian Megachelicerax, has three-segmented chelicerae, suggesting that this type is probably ancestral among chelicerates.
Jackknife chelicerae
The jackknife chelicera is subchelate (with fixed finger much reduced or absent) and is composed of two segments. This type of chelicera occurs exclusively in the Tetrapulmonata.
Jackknife chelicera are described in two different forms: orthognathous and labidognathous.
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