cephalothorax
head fused with the thorax
Source: Noland, George B. 1983. General Biology, 11th Edition. St. Louis, MO. C. V. Mosby ...
cephalothorax A body division found in many Arachnida and higher Crustacea, in which the head is fused with some or all of the thoracic segments.
cerata Fingerlike projections along the dorsal sides of some nudibranches.
cerato- keras = horn.
Arachnids have a cephalothorax covered with a carapace-like shield. The abdomen may be segmented or unsegmented. Appendages on the abdomen are absent or modified, for example forming the spinnerets of spiders.
They have something called a cephalothorax that is actually several sections of exoskeleton fused together. They have also developed a shield for their head. An insect head is sitting out there and could be bitten off.
Head and thorax fused into a cephalothorax.
At least 40,000 species.
Most are aquatic, found in both fresh water and in the oceans.
Includes crayfish, lobsters, barnacles, crabs, shrimp.
 See also: Thorax, Exoskeleton, Crustacea, Animals, Shell
  
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