Definitions

Mandibles

• Most anterior part of anterior mouthparts situated on either side of oral opening. [Holdich and Jones, 1983]
• Paired mouthparts used to macerate food. Consists of a fairly hard, chitinised region with spines and, often, opposed grinding surfaces. A segmented palp is often present and used to manipulate food. [Mauchline, 1984]
• Paired, jaw-like cutting, grinding or crushing appendages at the mouth of a decapod and other crustaceans. [Bliss, 1982]
• The appendages of the 4th head segment. They form a pair of jaws which bite from side to side across the mouth. [Warner, 1977]
• The first (most anterior) pair of mouthparts. [Brusca and Brusca, 2002]
• The first pair of mouthparts (or third pair of appendages). [Ingle, 1983]

---

 Copyright NHMLAC    Design: Dean Pentcheff pentcheff@gmail.com
 
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: 21 Nov 2024. URL: https://research.nhm.org/glossary