Puneet Varma (Editor)

Glossary of arachnology terms

Updated on
Edit
Like
Comment
Share on FacebookTweet on TwitterShare on LinkedInShare on Reddit
Glossary of arachnology terms

This glossary describes the terms used in the formal descriptions of arachnids, particularly spiders.

Contents

Terms

  • Apophysis: a process or outgrowth of the exoskeleton from any part of the body, but particularly on the appendages

    • Head and body

  • Abdomen or opisthosoma: One of two body segments, towards the posterior end.
  • Carapace: The upper (dorsal) portion of the cephalothorax.
  • Cephalothorax or prosoma: One of two body segments, towards the anterior end.
  • Chelicera: The appendage that includes the fang. (Sometimes called the jaw.)
  • Clypeus: the area of the carapace between the anterior eyes and the anterior edge of the carapace.
  • Dorsum: The upper (dorsal) portion of the body or abdomen.
  • Dorsal groove: Another name for the fovea of the carapace.
  • Fovea: A depression or pit in the centre of the carapace of a spider marking an inward projection of the exoskeleton to which stomach muscles are attached.
  • Labio-sternum mound: A mound separating the labium from the sternum, found in found in some tarantulas, where it can be a diagnostic feature.
  • Sternum: The lower (ventral) portion of the cephalothorax.
  • Thoracic furrow: Another name for the fovea of the carapace.
  • Venter (or ventrum): The lower (ventral) portion of the body or abdomen.

    • Legs and palps

  • Segments:
  • Coxa : first leg segment, between body and trochanter.
  • Trochanter : second leg segment, between coxa and femur
  • Femur : third leg segment, between trochanter and tibia.
  • Patella: fourth leg segment, between femur and tibia.
  • Tibia : fifth leg segment, between patella and metatarsus.
  • Metatarsus (or basitarsus): sixth leg segment, between tibia and tarsus; absent in the pedipalp.
  • Tarsus (or telotarsus): seventh (last) leg segment, after the metatarsus.
  • Lateral (applied to legs): viewed from above or below, the sides of the leg or palp, i.e. the surfaces parallel to the line of sight
  • Prolateral: viewed from above or below, the side of the leg or palp nearest the mouth, i.e. the side facing forward
  • Retrolateral: viewed from above or below, the side of the leg or palp furthest from the mouth, i.e. the side facing backwards

    • Pedipalp

  • Maxilla: modified coxa of the pedipalp, used in feeding.
  • Carpoblem: the principal tibial apophysis on the male pedipalp. (Typically, this is just called the tibial apophysis.)
  • Retrolateral tibial apophysis: a backward-facing projection on the tibia of the male pedipalp.

    • Markings

  • Folium : A broad leaf-like marking along the medial line of the top of the abdomen.
  • Heart mark : A narrow marking along the top of the abdomen roughly corresponding to the location of the heart.

    • Abbreviations

    Some abbreviations commonly found in descriptions of spider anatomy include:

  • ALE: anterior lateral eyes
  • ALS: anterior lateral spinnerets
  • AME: anterior median eyes
  • DTA: dorsal tegular apophysis
  • DTiA: dorsal tibial apophysis
  • LTA: lateral tegular apophysis
  • MOQ: median ocular quadrangle
  • PLE: posterior lateral eyes
  • PLS: posterior lateral spinnerets
  • PME: posterior median eyes
  • PMS: posterior median spinnerets
  • RCF: retrolateral cymbial fold
  • RTA: retrolateral tibial apophysis
  • VTA: ventral tegular apophysis
  • VTiA: ventral tibial apophysis

    • References

    Glossary of arachnology terms Wikipedia
    (Text) CC BY-SA


    Similar Topics