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pedipalp

pedipalp

1 9.9
A small leg-like part near the mouth of spiders and scorpions used to feel, hold, or help in mating
  • noun
  • /ˈpɛdɪˌpælp/
  • Specialized
translation icon : pedipalpo
  • The female passes her own pedipalps over the insect, as if measuring its size with calipers.
  • legs and pedipalps
  • male pedipalp

Examples

  • Check to see if he still has two pedipalps.

  • The primary function of pedipalps is to manipulate food while eating.

    Blog text (4)
  • Pedipalps are modified appendages at the front of a male spider.

    Blog text (4)
  • The female passes her own pedipalps over the insect, as if measuring its size with calipers.

    Academic text (1991)
  • So technically, the pedipalps have two functions, though the male bulb (distal-most segment) has only one.

    Blog text (4)
  • Once she is occupied with her meal, the male gingerly releases his grip on the prey and swivels underneath the female to insert a pedipalp into one of two openings in her abdomen.

    Academic text (1991)
  • Scytodes can spit silk (fangs are just modified legs), as can a number of mites and spider mites produce silk from their pedipalps.

    Blog text (4)
  • The thick, hairy appearance of the spider's pedipalps—its frontmost appendages—indicated it was a male.

Synonyms

palp
vspedipalp
  • Specialized
1 9.9

A small sensitive part near the mouth of insects used for touching and tasting

is mainly sensory yet also performs feeding and mating functions
palpus
vspedipalp
  • Specialized
9.9

A small feeler near the mouth that insects and similar animals use to taste or touch

serves sensing but also feeding, prey handling, and reproductive roles

Surface Forms

pedipalp singular
pedipalps plural

Morphology

pedipalp = ped + palp (opaque) = ped + palp

The components 'ped' and 'palp' are not commonly recognized in modern English, and the specific biological meaning is specialized.

Etymology

Pedipalp comes from parts that mean 'foot' and 'to touch': ped- as in pedal ('foot') and palp- from a word for 'to touch'. So a pedipalp is like a 'touching foot', a small leg by the mouth used for feeling, handling food, or helping in mating.