Definitions

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Chela

A claw formed by the dactyl and propodus or a limb. Incorrectly used in euphausiids to describe setae in the configuration of a claw. [Mauchline, 1984]
A claw, or the claw-like terminus of a cheliped. [Bliss, 1982]
A forceps-like structure consisting of the two distal-most podomeres of a pereiopod. [Hobbs, Hobbs, and Daniel 1977]
A pincer formed by the two distal podomeres of a pereiopod in which the movable finger or dactyl opposes a fixed finger formed by a distal extension of the propodus.
(pl. chelae) [Chace and Hobbs, 1969]
A pinching claw composed of a moveable finger, the dactylus, and a fixed finger, a distal extension of the propodus (Fig. 1). If a pair of chelae differ in size the larger is called the major chela and the smaller the minor. [Warner, 1977]
Appendage ending in chela (claw).
(pl. chelae) [Perez Farfante and Kensley, 1997]
Arrangement of distal 2 articles of crustacean limb in which terminal article is opposed to article preceding it in an adaptation for grasping. In true chela, terminal 2 articles shaped as fingers, one closing against other. In subchela, terminal article (dactyl) usually closes against distal surface of penultimate article (propodus). [Williams, 1984]
Claw formed by the two distal segments of a periopod, in which the movable finger or dactylus opposes a fixed finger formed by the distal extension of propodus.
(pl. chelae) [Butler, T. H.]
Claw or pincer, derived from interacting fixed finger (extension from palm of propodus) and moveable finger (dactylus); palm refers. [Poore, 2004]
Distal part of appendage; pincerlike, with opposable movable and immovable fingers; occasionally both fingers moveable.
(pl. chelae) [McLaughlin, 1980]
Forcepslike structure ("claw" or "pincer"), consisting of two opposed distal podomeres of first, second and third pereiopods of crayfishes, first and second pereiopods of shrimps; dactyl (moveable finger) and propodus (see Figs. 13,14). [Hobbs and Jass, 1988]
Pincer-like distal part of limb consisting of opposed moveable, and immovable fingers. [Moore and McCormick, 1969]
The two distal segments of a cheliped forming a pinching claw. [Ingle, 1983]
(Taxon-specific: Order Tanaidacea) Pincer-like structure at end of cheliped (first pereopod). Formed by movable finger (dactylus) opposed by immovable distal extension of propodus. Highly variable according to sex and stage of maturity.
See: Subchela [Stachowitsch, 1992]
(Taxon-specific: Order Decapoda) Pincer-like structure at end of appendage. Formed by movable finger (dactylus) opposed by immovable distal extension (fixed finger) of expanded propodus (manus). (heterochelous, crushing, tearing).
(syn. pincer, claw)
See: Subchela [Stachowitsch, 1992]
(Taxon-specific: Order Amphipoda) Pincer-like structure of first two pereopod pairs (gnathopods). Formed by movable finger (dactylus) opposed by immovable distal extension of propodus.
See: Subchela [Stachowitsch, 1992]
(Taxon-specific: Order Isopoda) Distal pincerlike part of appendage, often formed by a mobile and an immobile finger. [Kensley and Schotte, 1989]
(Taxon-specific: Class Ostracoda) In maxilla of certain male, hook-like structure formed by segments of inner branch (endopod); used to hold female during copulation. May also refer to pincer-like structure formed by middle segment of endopod in second (last) pair of thoracopods; used to clean food from maxillule.
(syn. pincer) [Stachowitsch, 1992]
(Taxon-specific: Order Euphausiacea) Pincer-like structure at end of third thoracopod in certain euphausiaceans. Formed by movable dactylus bearing down on rigid spine(s) projecting distally from propodus. [Stachowitsch, 1992]