Huntsman portrait

P_T · Post by **P_T** » Fri Sep 26, 2008 9:20 am

Around 2x magnification, just enough to fit the pedipalp in the frame.

Full size.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3196/288 ... e465_o.jpg

Aynia · Post by **Aynia** » Fri Sep 26, 2008 10:15 am

ok, for those archnaphobes among us.. what's a pedipalp?

rjlittlefield · Post by **rjlittlefield** » Fri Sep 26, 2008 1:00 pm

Pedipalps are those big leg-like things hanging down in front, filling up this frame on either side of the "fangs".

Anatomically, they're kind of a cross between legs and mouthparts. Pedipalps have segmentation very similar to legs, but instead of being used for walking they're used for touching and manipulating prey.

In male spiders, pedipalps are also enlarged and specialized for use as a copulatory organ, used for transferring sperm packets to the females. The structure of male pedipalps is often quite elaborate and unique to each species, so they are frequently used as key features for identification.

See this posting for some pictures showing an example of elaborate structure.

--Rik

P_T · Post by **P_T** » Fri Sep 26, 2008 8:19 pm

Another view. Full Size here,
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3006/289 ... 1068_o.jpg

According to flickr guideline, I MUST link it to the photo page so here it is, feel free to ignore it.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/7873166@N02/2891548024/

beetleman · Post by **beetleman** » Sat Sep 27, 2008 12:23 pm

Very Creepy and well done. Looks like it has blood on its fangs already