Carapace

Acarapaceis adorsal(upper) section of theexoskeletonor shell in a number of animal groups, includingarthropods,such ascrustaceansandarachnids,as well as vertebrates, such asturtlesandtortoises.In turtles and tortoises, the underside is called theplastron.

Crustaceans

Incrustaceans,the carapace functions as a protective cover over thecephalothorax(i.e., the fused head andthorax,as distinct from theabdomenbehind). Where it projects forward beyond the eyes, this projection is called arostrum.The carapace iscalcifiedto varying degrees in different crustaceans.^[1]

Zooplanktonwithin the phylum Crustacea also have a carapace. These includeCladocera,ostracods,andisopods,but isopods only have a developed "cephalic shield" carapace covering the head.

Arachnids

Inarachnids,the carapace is formed by the fusion of prosomaltergitesinto a singleplatewhich carries the eyes, ocularium,ozopores(a pair of openings of the scent gland ofOpiliones) and diverse phaneres.^[2]

In a few orders, such asSolifugaeandSchizomida,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.

Alternative terms for the carapace of arachnids and their relatives, which avoids confusion with crustaceans, areprosomal dorsal shieldandpeltidium.

Turtles and tortoises

The carapace is thedorsal(back) convex part of the shell structure of aturtle,consisting primarily of the animal'sribcage, dermal armor, andscutes.^[3]^[4]

References

^Pentcheff, Dean (ed.)."Carapace".Crustacea Glossary.Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County.Archived fromthe originalon 23 September 2013.Retrieved17 June2012.
^Beccaloni, Jan (2009).Arachnids.University of California Press.ISBN 978-0-520-26140-2.
^Romer, A. S.(1956).Osteology of the Reptiles.University of Chicago Press.
^Zangerl, R. (1969). "The turtle shell". In Gans, C.; Bellairs, D. d'A.; Parsons, T. A. (eds.).Biology of the Reptilia.Vol. 1. London:Academic Press.pp. 311–340.

External links

Media related toCarapaceat Wikimedia Commons

[1] Pentcheff, Dean (ed.)."Carapace".Crustacea Glossary.Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County.Archived fromthe originalon 23 September 2013.Retrieved17 June2012.

[2] Beccaloni, Jan (2009).Arachnids.University of California Press.ISBN 978-0-520-26140-2.

[rom56-3] Romer, A. S.(1956).Osteology of the Reptiles.University of Chicago Press.

[zang69-4] Zangerl, R. (1969). "The turtle shell". In Gans, C.; Bellairs, D. d'A.; Parsons, T. A. (eds.).Biology of the Reptilia.Vol. 1. London:Academic Press.pp. 311–340.

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