Monday-ish word: pedipalp

[ersatz-read.livejournal.com]

pedipalp (pĕd′ə-pălp′), noun

One of a pair of appendages near the mouth of a chelicerate (spider, horseshoe crab, etc.).

In spiders, they function as extra-sensitive taste and smell receptors. In sexually mature male spiders, they are used to transfer sperm to the female.

Usually used in the plural. I follow an Insect Identification group on Facebook; they seem to post a lot of pics of male spiders with conspicuous pedipalps.
Here is the WIkipedia entry.

And here is a pic of a jumping spider with pedipalps that look like tiny yellow mittens - behind the cut, for anyone bothered by spiders.



Etymology: Latin; peos, foot + palp, touch.

Comments

[prettygoodword.livejournal.com]

That is a CUTIE!