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Glite Dictionary
🦶 Ankle bone 🕷️ Spider leg organ
malleolus

malleolus

9.9
A small organ under the hind leg of some spiders that senses vibrations and chemicals
  • noun
  • /məˈliːələs/
  • Specialized
translation icon : maleolo
  • Each malleolus helps the arachnid detect tiny vibrations in the ground.

Examples

  • Researchers discovered that the malleolus is sensitive to chemical signals as well as movement.

  • The scientist observed the malleolus to understand how the camel spider senses its environment.

  • The malleolus helps arachnids sense their environment.

  • Some species of spiders have a well-developed malleolus.

  • The malleolus of the spider allows it to sense the slightest movements in its surroundings.

  • With its malleolus, the arachnid can detect vibrations from potential prey nearby.

  • Researchers noted that the malleolus plays a critical role in how some spiders perceive chemical cues.

Synonyms

feeler
vsmalleolus
3 5.3

A long thin part of an animal used to touch and sense things

is a small fan shaped organ that senses vibrations and chemicals rather than touch
sensillum
vsmalleolus
  • Specialized
9.9

A very small part on an insect's body that senses touch, chemicals or movement

is a specialized fan shaped organ on hind legs for vibration and chemical sensing

Surface Forms

malleolus singular
malleoli plural

Etymology

Malleolus comes from the Latin malleus 'hammer' with the ending -olus 'little', so it means 'little hammer'. Scientists gave the same name to a tiny, fan- or hammer-shaped organ on some arachnids because it is a small, knob-like part that helps the animal sense vibrations and chemical cues.