naughty bits part 2

Wim van Egmond · Post by **Wim van Egmond** » Thu Feb 08, 2007 2:22 am

The pedipalps of the different species of spiders differ enormously. They can be used to identify the species.

This is the pedipalp of a Dictyna arundinacea, a small spider that lives in the tops of heather.

Below is the female genital opening, the Epigyne. They also differ in each species.

I am not sure but I think there is a broken off part of a pedipalp left in this epigyne! It is a stack.

Wim

Ken Ramos · Post by **Ken Ramos** » Thu Feb 08, 2007 4:10 am

Beautiful images Wim.

Though I am not really up to snuff on spider parts to know or see what you are referring to, that is the broken off part.

However, considering my love for these eight legged terrors, I will, lets just say...take your word for it.

Wim van Egmond · Post by **Wim van Egmond** » Thu Feb 08, 2007 4:15 am

The pedipalp has a sort of coiled tube that can be ejected in order to fertilise the female spider. The thin tube just right from the center of the bottom images is what I think is a part of the male pedipalp. But I am not sure.

Wim

Ken Ramos · Post by **Ken Ramos** » Thu Feb 08, 2007 4:23 am

Oh okay, now I see. Thanks Wim

beetleman · Post by **beetleman** » Thu Feb 08, 2007 9:53 am

Wonderful pictures Wim....really interesting