Carapace
 |
This article may be expanded with text translated from the corresponding article in the German Wikipedia. (June 2012)
Click [show] on the right to read important instructions before translating.
|
A carapace is a dorsal (upper) section of the exoskeleton or shell in a number of animal groups, including arthropods such as crustaceans and arachnids, as well as vertebrates such as turtles and tortoises. In turtles and tortoises, the underside is called the plastron.
Contents |
Crustaceans [edit]
In crustaceans, the carapace is a part of the exoskeleton that covers the cephalothorax. The carapace functions as a protective cover over the cephalothorax. Where it projects forward beyond the eyes, this projection is called a rostrum. The carapace is calcified to varying degrees in different crustaceans.[1]
Zooplankton within the phylum Crustacea also have a carapace. These include Cladocera, ostracods, and isopods, however isopods only have a developed "cephalic shield" carapace covering the head.
Arachnida [edit]
In arachnids, the carapace is formed by the fusion of prosomal tergites into a single plate which carries the eyes, ocularium, ozopores (a pair of openings of the scent gland of Opiliones) and diverse phaneres.[2]
In a few orders, such as Solifugae and Schizomida, the carapace may be subdivided. In Opiliones, some authors prefer to use the term carapace interchangeably with the term cephalothorax, which is incorrect usage, because carapace refers only to the dorsal part of the exoskeleton of the cephalothorax.
An alternative term for the carapace of arachnids and their relatives, which avoids confusion with crustaceans, is prosomal dorsal shield.
Turtles and tortoises [edit]
The carapace is the dorsal (back) convex part of the shell structure of a turtle, consisting primarily of the animal's ribcage, dermal armor and scutes.[3][4]
References [edit]
- ^ Dean Pentcheff (ed.). "Carapace". Crustacea Glossary. Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County. Retrieved June 17, 2012.
- ^ Jan Beccaloni (2009). Arachnids. University of California Press. ISBN 978-0-520-26140-2.
- ^ A. S. Romer (1956). Osteology of the Reptiles. University of Chicago Press.
- ^ R. Zangerl (1969). "The turtle shell". In C. Gans, D. d'A. Bellairs & T. A. Parsons. Biology of the Reptilia 1. London: Academic Press. pp. 311–340.
 |
This article needs additional citations for verification. (November 2009) |
|
|||||
