Definitions

Endoskeleton

• Internal hard parts of some decapods consisting mainly of endophragms. [Moore and McCormick, 1969]
• (Taxon-specific: Family Pycnogonidae) Term occasionally applied to various more rigid internal structures serving as sites of muscle attachment. [Stachowitsch, 1992]
• Internal skeletal structure of head and thorax (cephalothorax). When fully developed, consists of complex system of fused projections (endopleurites, endosternites).
  (syn. endophrogmal skeleton, endophragmal system)
  See: Exoskeleton   [Stachowitsch, 1992]
• (Taxon-specific: Family Cyatholaimidae) In head, weakly developed internal skeleton consisting of two endosternites. [Stachowitsch, 1992]
• Thin internal skeleton of body; forms complex framework supporting limbs and caudal rami. [Stachowitsch, 1992]

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Citing this glossary: For individual definitions, please cite the specific author(s) of the definition.
To cite the glossary as a whole, please use:
Martin, J.W., N.D. Pentcheff, D. Striley, C. Perrodin, A.R. Wall, J. Wall, and J. Zieba (editors). Crustacea Glossary. Crustacea Department, Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County. Accessed: 14 Feb 2025. URL: https://research.nhm.org/glossary