carapace

views updated May 17 2018

carapace
1. The domed top of a chelonian shell (Chelonia), composed of two layers:
a. an inner body capsule of interlocking plates (the median neurals associated with the vertebrae; the lateral costals associated with the ribs, and encircled by the marginals); and

b. a covering of horny scutes, forming a similar pattern but not corresponding exactly to the underlying bones.


2. See CEPHALOTHORAX.

carapace

views updated May 17 2018

carapace
1. The dorsal part of the exoskeleton of some crustaceans (e.g. crabs), which spreads like a shield over several segments of the head and thorax.

2. The domed dorsal part of the shell of tortoises and turtles, formed of bony plates fused with the ribs and vertebrae and covered by a horny epidermal layer. The ventral part of the shell (plastron) is similar but flatter.

carapace

views updated May 14 2018

car·a·pace / ˈkarəˌpās/ • n. the hard upper shell of a turtle or crustacean.

carapace

views updated May 29 2018

carapace body-shell of tortoises, etc. XIX. — F. — Sp. carapacho, of unkn. orig.