noun
- Plural of carapax; the hard protective shell or outer covering of a turtle, tortoise, or crustacean.
Usage: Most commonly refers to the dorsal (upper) shell of turtles and tortoises.; Also used for the hard exoskeleton of crustaceans such as crabs and lobsters.; Carapace is the more standard modern spelling; carapax is an older or variant form.
Examples
- The turtle's carapaxes were decorated with intricate patterns.
- Scientists examined the carapaxes of several crab specimens.
- The tortoise's carapax provides protection from predators.
- Fossil carapaxes reveal information about ancient marine life.
- The museum displayed carapaxes from different species of sea turtles.