Chela (Noun)
Meaning 2
A grasping structure on the limb of a crustacean or other arthropods.
Classification
Nouns denoting animals.
Examples
- The crab's pincer-like chela allowed it to grasp and manipulate food particles with great precision.
- Arthropods such as lobsters and crayfish have powerful claws with chelae that serve as grasping and defensive tools.
- The hermit crab's modified left chela is larger and more muscular than its right chela, reflecting its importance in defense.
- In some species of shrimp, the chela is reduced in size or even absent, suggesting a shift away from grasping as a primary mode of feeding.
- The spider crab's chela is adorned with sensory hairs that aid in detecting and manipulating prey.