This image shows the external anatomy of the anterior-ventral surface of a small, preserved horseshoe crab. The first pair of appendages located in front of the mouth are called chelicerae, which are found in all members of the Subphylum Chelicerata to which these organisms belong.  Note that the walking legs are chelate, that is, equipped with small pincers. In the center behind the sixth pair of appendages is a pair of small, spiny structures called chilaria, which may be involved in crushing food prior to ingestion.  Observe the spiny gnathobases that surround the mouth.  These structures located at base of the legs shred food and push it toward the mouth.