pedipalp

[ped-uh-palp]

noun

1. (in arachnids) one member of the usually longer pair of appendages immediately behind the chelicerae.

2. any member of the arachnid order Pedipalpida.

pedipalp

/ ˈpɛdɪˌpælp /

noun

1. either member of the second pair of head appendages of arachnids: specialized for feeding, locomotion, etc

Other Word Forms

• pedipalpal adjective
• pedipalpate adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of pedipalp¹

From the New Latin word Pedipalpus, dating back to 1820–30. See pedi-, palp

Word History and Origins

Origin of pedipalp¹

C19: from New Latin pedipalpi, from Latin pēs foot + palpus palp

Example Sentences

Using a specialized appendage near his mouth called a pedipalp, the male spider reached forward and carefully slid a packet of sperm into the female’s abdominal cavity.

Read more on Scientific American

The males who are able to wrap the females’ legs have more successful copulations, as measured by the number of insertions of the pedipalp, which delivers sperm to the female.

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The scans revealed that the L. jeskovi pedipalp grasps and twists the scapus as the male dismounts, snipping it off as if with scissors.

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To test the strength of the adhesive, the researchers used a fine glass pipette tip with a microscopic glass bead at the end to pull a single sticky pedipalp hair.

Read more on Science Magazine

They pulled the pedipalp back at different speeds and recorded the deflection of the pipette tip on video.

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