Just another nature blog, mainly about wildlife in Singapore.
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Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Strange claws on pedipalps of this Ctenid spider
This spider seems to have a pair of claws sticking out sideways from each pedipalp. Anyone has any idea what spider this is and the function of these claws?
just guessing, but it could be there to perform some kind of male competition role. the spikes probably let the male have a better grip while inserting his palps into the female, at the same time possibly damaging the epigyne such that it may be harder to be fertilised by another male.
2 comments:
just guessing, but it could be there to perform some kind of male competition role. the spikes probably let the male have a better grip while inserting his palps into the female, at the same time possibly damaging the epigyne such that it may be harder to be fertilised by another male.
Thanks for the input! Do you happen to know of any other spiders with this claw feature on the pedipalps too?
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