| The maxillipeds are first three thoracic appendages and
become more leg-like posteriorly. The third maxillipeds are used
extensively for grooming. Their role in feeding appears mainly to hold
large pieces of food so that pieces may be torn off by the mandibles and
ingested. The process of food ingestion is the following. Small food
particles are passed towards the mouth by a chela, the second
maxillipeds open to receive it into the pre-oral cavity and then remain
closed until the food is ingested; the inner mouthparts act like a
ratchet, moving the food to the mouth, where it is broken up by the
mandibles if required. The posterior mouthparts assist in scraping food
off the mandibles and also sort and reject sand grains and other
inedible matter (Dall et al., 1990).
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