Cephalothorax

Cephalothorax (Greek κεφαλή kephale, head ' and Greek θώραξ Thorax ) denotes the in itself immovable front body of the Higher crustaceans ( Malacostraca ). He is covered by the outgoing head of the carapace.

Plans

In decapods ( Decapoda ) consists of the cephalothorax from the head ( cephalon ) and thorax ( chest ). With many other Malacostraca only one or two thoracic segments with the head are fused into a cephalothorax, it results in the sequence cephalothorax - Peraeon - Pleon / abdomen (eg knapsack cancers ). Such a fusion of head and thorax is also some pine -mouth media ( chelicerates, eg horseshoe crabs ).

Accruals

The the ( 5) walking legs ( Peraeopoden ) bearing part of the cephalothorax of the Decapoda is also called Peraeon.

Occasionally, the front body of arachnids is called " cephalothorax ". This is wrong, since this is a mobile front body, which is rightly called a prosoma. Also synonymous and also incorrectly Opisthosoma also used.

In other arthropods such as trilobites ( extinct), Hexapoda and insects of the head is free to move against the thorax.