Definitions

Chelipeds

• A limb bearing a chela. In crabs this limb is borne on the fourth thoracic segment (Fig. 1). [Warner, 1977]
• Any thoracopod bearing chelae. [Moore and McCormick, 1969]
• One or more pairs of thoracic legs of decapod crustaceans that terminate in a chela, or claw. Often the entire cheliped is referred to as a claw. [Bliss, 1982]
• Pair or pairs of thoracic legs behind maxillipeds; bearing chelae, or pincer-like claws, and often stouter, sometimes much stouter, than other legs. [Williams, 1984]
• Pereiopod bearing a chela. [Butler, T. H.]
• Second pair of thoracic appendages; chelate in form. [Holdich and Jones, 1983]
• The first pair of pereiopods arising opposite the first (or fourth) sternite and bearing the chelae. [Ingle, 1983]

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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: 3 Nov 2025. URL: https://research.nhm.org/glossary