chelicera in a sentence

Definition

Chelicera refers to the paired appendages of arachnids, such as spiders, that are adapted for grasping, tearing, and manipulating food.

The chelicera of a spider are often adapted for gripping and tearing prey.
In many arachnids, the chelicera serve as the primary mouthparts for feeding.
Scorpions use their chelicera to grasp small insects before delivering a fatal sting.
Some species of ticks have chelicera that allow them to penetrate the skin of their hosts.
The chelicera can vary greatly in size and shape depending on the species of arachnid.
During the molting process, a spider may shed its chelicera along with its exoskeleton.
In certain cases, the chelicera are equipped with venom glands that aid in subduing prey.
The distinctive structure of a chelicera can help entomologists identify different arachnid families.
Chelicerae are not found in insects, which have a different set of mouthparts.
The evolutionary development of chelicerae marks a significant adaptation in the feeding mechanisms of arachnids.