The chelicerae (/ k ə ˈ l ɪ s ər iː /) are the mouthparts of the subphylum Chelicerata, an arthropod group that includes arachnids, horseshoe crabs, and sea spiders. Commonly referred to as " jaws ", chelicerae may be shaped as either articulated fangs , or as a type of pincers .

Spiders do not have powerful chelicerae, but secrete digestive fluids into their prey from a series of ducts perforating their chelicerae. The coxal glands are excretory organs that lie in the prosoma, and open to the outside at the coxae of the walking legs.

The chelicerae, which give the group its name, are the only appendages that appear before the mouth. In most sub-groups, they are modest pincers used to feed. However, spiders' chelicerae form fangs that most species use to inject venom into prey.

The first pair, the chelicerae, often have claws or fangs. They are used to capture prey (spiders), transport a spermatophore (sunspiders, some mites and ticks), produce sounds (sunspiders, some spiders), cut strands of silk (web-dwelling spiders), and produce silk (pseudoscorpions).

Nov 19, 2009 · The chelicerae are a spider's jaws. They are located on the very front of a spider's cephalothorax. Every Kentucky spider has a pair of chelicerae, and they are tipped with fangs. Chelicerae are filled with muscles, and are used to hold prey while the spider injects venom.

Dec 16, 2024 · A major subphylum under Arthropoda, the Chelicerata includes sea spiders (pycnogonids), horseshoe crabs, and arachnids, such as harvestmen, scorpions, spiders, ticks, and mites. The chelicerates derive their name from ‘chelicerae,’ the pincer-like appendages (found anterior to the mouth) that form an integral part of their feeding apparatus.

Jan 20, 2025 · A spider’s chelicerae consist of two upper sections culminating in venomous fangs. The upper sections of chelicerae often feature thick ‘beards’ that help filter solid particles from their food since spiders only consume liquids.

Dec 13, 2019 · Chelicerates (Chelicerata) are a group of arthropods that includes harvestmen, scorpions, mites, spiders, horseshoe crabs, sea spiders, and ticks. There are about 77,000 living species of chelicerates. Chelicerates have two body segments (tagmenta) and six pairs of …

Modified arthropod appendages, such as antennae and mandibles, are associated with modified deployment of the leg gap genes. In Chelicerata (spiders, scorpions, horseshoe crabs, etc.), the first pair of appendages is called the chelicerae. Note the absence of a dachshund domain in the two-segmented chelicera of spiders.

Jul 23, 2018 · In spiders, the chelicerae bear the fangs and house part of the venom gland, which can occupy much of the length of the prosoma in some groups. In general, most of the modern chelicerate species are predators or scavengers.