Cephalothorax facts for kids
The cephalothorax is a special body part found in some animals like crabs and spiders. It's where their head and chest (called the thorax) are joined together into one big section. Think of it as a combined head-chest!
This unique body part is also known as a prosoma. It helps these animals move and sense their surroundings.
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What is a Cephalothorax?
A cephalothorax is a fused body segment. It means that two main parts, the head and the thorax, have grown together. This is different from humans, where our head and chest are separate.
This combined section holds many important organs. It usually contains the animal's brain, eyes, mouthparts, and legs. Having these parts together can be very useful for how these creatures live.
Animals with a Cephalothorax
You'll find a cephalothorax in many arthropods. Arthropods are a huge group of animals with exoskeletons (hard outer shells) and jointed legs. Insects, spiders, and crabs are all arthropods.
Two main groups of arthropods commonly have a cephalothorax:
- Crustaceans: These include animals like crabs, lobsters, shrimp, and barnacles. Their cephalothorax often has gills for breathing underwater.
- Chelicerates: This group includes spiders, scorpions, ticks, and mites. For spiders, the cephalothorax carries their fangs, eyes, and legs.
What is a Carapace?
Often, the cephalothorax is covered by a tough, shield-like shell called a carapace. This carapace acts like armor, protecting the soft body parts underneath.
In crustaceans, the carapace is usually very hard and strong. It helps protect them from predators and supports their body in water. For chelicerates like spiders, the carapace is also protective, but it might be less rigid than a crab's.
See also
Images for kids
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A robot, like some arthropods, can have a body where parts are fused together.
