female true spiders have a sclerotized patch on their ventral abdomen (the epigynum), that couples with the male palp
here, part of the male palp that delivers sperm (the embolus) has broken off. in this case, the embolus is thick & ribbon-like; they are typically much thinner structures
here, part of the male palp that delivers sperm (the embolus) has broken off. in this case, the embolus is thick & ribbon-like; they are typically much thinner structures
October 2, 2026 at 2:04 PM
female true spiders have a sclerotized patch on their ventral abdomen (the epigynum), that couples with the male palp
here, part of the male palp that delivers sperm (the embolus) has broken off. in this case, the embolus is thick & ribbon-like; they are typically much thinner structures
here, part of the male palp that delivers sperm (the embolus) has broken off. in this case, the embolus is thick & ribbon-like; they are typically much thinner structures
New publication: Development and reproduction in the range-expanding #spider, Zoropsis spinimana (Araneae, Zoropsidae). #climatechange #falsewolfspider
doi.org/10.13156/ara...
doi.org/10.13156/ara...
July 10, 2026 at 10:05 AM
New publication: Development and reproduction in the range-expanding #spider, Zoropsis spinimana (Araneae, Zoropsidae). #climatechange #falsewolfspider
doi.org/10.13156/ara...
doi.org/10.13156/ara...
There was a bit of confusion on our last video showing off one of our beautiful female Phidippus Audax Big Bend. Both can be very similar in terms of how they look. However, the one pictured is a confirmed girl by her thin pedipalps at maturity, and the fact she has an epigynum 😁
June 30, 2026 at 1:34 PM
There was a bit of confusion on our last video showing off one of our beautiful female Phidippus Audax Big Bend. Both can be very similar in terms of how they look. However, the one pictured is a confirmed girl by her thin pedipalps at maturity, and the fact she has an epigynum 😁
Day 204 of showing the internet that (jumping) spiders aren't scary 😮
Mocha really said “plot twist” 😅
We declared her mature… she had a visible epigynum… and then she went and moulted again 😭 #jumpingspider
Mocha really said “plot twist” 😅
We declared her mature… she had a visible epigynum… and then she went and moulted again 😭 #jumpingspider
February 13, 2026 at 9:54 PM
Day 204 of showing the internet that (jumping) spiders aren't scary 😮
Mocha really said “plot twist” 😅
We declared her mature… she had a visible epigynum… and then she went and moulted again 😭 #jumpingspider
Mocha really said “plot twist” 😅
We declared her mature… she had a visible epigynum… and then she went and moulted again 😭 #jumpingspider
It’s looking like this may instead be the undescribed male of Tachygyna coosi! Females are known from the region, so it makes a bit more sense than a species only known from California. Also T. cognata has a similar epigynum to T. coosi, so perhaps the palps are similar too?
January 5, 2026 at 3:58 AM
It’s looking like this may instead be the undescribed male of Tachygyna coosi! Females are known from the region, so it makes a bit more sense than a species only known from California. Also T. cognata has a similar epigynum to T. coosi, so perhaps the palps are similar too?
(2/2) This video also captures some fascinating moments of Onyx carefully transferring sperm into Clemmie’s epigynum using his pedipalps. It's a delicate and highly coordinated process and such a privilege to witness 🥹
Now we wait and keep our fingers crossed for what comes next 🤞
Now we wait and keep our fingers crossed for what comes next 🤞
December 17, 2025 at 9:12 PM
(2/2) This video also captures some fascinating moments of Onyx carefully transferring sperm into Clemmie’s epigynum using his pedipalps. It's a delicate and highly coordinated process and such a privilege to witness 🥹
Now we wait and keep our fingers crossed for what comes next 🤞
Now we wait and keep our fingers crossed for what comes next 🤞
RE-DISCOVERY #3
Scotinella pennimani Platnick and Chamé-Vázquez, 2024 (Phrurolithidae) was described just last year from specimens collected in 1967 (58 years ago). We found this lady in Okefenokee NWR on Trembling Earth Nature Trail just north of Stephen C. Foster State Park in SE Georgia.
Scotinella pennimani Platnick and Chamé-Vázquez, 2024 (Phrurolithidae) was described just last year from specimens collected in 1967 (58 years ago). We found this lady in Okefenokee NWR on Trembling Earth Nature Trail just north of Stephen C. Foster State Park in SE Georgia.
December 2, 2025 at 5:47 PM
RE-DISCOVERY #3
Scotinella pennimani Platnick and Chamé-Vázquez, 2024 (Phrurolithidae) was described just last year from specimens collected in 1967 (58 years ago). We found this lady in Okefenokee NWR on Trembling Earth Nature Trail just north of Stephen C. Foster State Park in SE Georgia.
Scotinella pennimani Platnick and Chamé-Vázquez, 2024 (Phrurolithidae) was described just last year from specimens collected in 1967 (58 years ago). We found this lady in Okefenokee NWR on Trembling Earth Nature Trail just north of Stephen C. Foster State Park in SE Georgia.
(2/2) When Ember accepts, he carefully flips her over to access her epigynum area. This is where he transfers sperm using his pedipalps, the small limbs near his mouth.
Moments like this remind us that there’s so much beauty and complexity in even the tiniest creatures 🥹
Moments like this remind us that there’s so much beauty and complexity in even the tiniest creatures 🥹
November 13, 2025 at 9:23 PM
(2/2) When Ember accepts, he carefully flips her over to access her epigynum area. This is where he transfers sperm using his pedipalps, the small limbs near his mouth.
Moments like this remind us that there’s so much beauty and complexity in even the tiniest creatures 🥹
Moments like this remind us that there’s so much beauty and complexity in even the tiniest creatures 🥹
Wow! "Centromerus" perhaps? That epigynum is wild.
November 12, 2025 at 5:51 PM
Wow! "Centromerus" perhaps? That epigynum is wild.
Day 128 of showing the internet that (jumping) spiders aren't scary 😧
Our gorgeous Phidippus adumbratus has just moulted! 🕷️💛 We believe she’s subadult/mature, so in about 1-2 weeks, we’ll check for something called an epigynum 👀🥹 #jumpingspider #cute
Our gorgeous Phidippus adumbratus has just moulted! 🕷️💛 We believe she’s subadult/mature, so in about 1-2 weeks, we’ll check for something called an epigynum 👀🥹 #jumpingspider #cute
October 26, 2025 at 9:34 PM
Day 128 of showing the internet that (jumping) spiders aren't scary 😧
Our gorgeous Phidippus adumbratus has just moulted! 🕷️💛 We believe she’s subadult/mature, so in about 1-2 weeks, we’ll check for something called an epigynum 👀🥹 #jumpingspider #cute
Our gorgeous Phidippus adumbratus has just moulted! 🕷️💛 We believe she’s subadult/mature, so in about 1-2 weeks, we’ll check for something called an epigynum 👀🥹 #jumpingspider #cute
Our beautiful Juniper (Phidippus Adumbratus) moulted recently and is looking magnificent 🥹 We're pretty sure she's mature now, but we'll check in a week or so for that signature shiny epigynum. Just look at her monching on her toe beans 😍 #jumpingspider #cute #arachtober
October 25, 2025 at 1:15 PM
Our beautiful Juniper (Phidippus Adumbratus) moulted recently and is looking magnificent 🥹 We're pretty sure she's mature now, but we'll check in a week or so for that signature shiny epigynum. Just look at her monching on her toe beans 😍 #jumpingspider #cute #arachtober
also if you’ve never looked up spider sex, that’s a whole weird hole (heh) to fall down! when adult male spiders mature they develop tibial hooks to hold the female’s fangs from murderin’ & they get big boxing gloves to hold their sperm for insertion into the epigynum
October 8, 2025 at 1:08 AM
also if you’ve never looked up spider sex, that’s a whole weird hole (heh) to fall down! when adult male spiders mature they develop tibial hooks to hold the female’s fangs from murderin’ & they get big boxing gloves to hold their sperm for insertion into the epigynum
One of the spiders we are searching for on our Okefenokee NWF trip later this month is Ceratinopsis bona. Described from southeastern Georgia, this specimen hasn't been seen since it was collected for that description in 1943. It is reddish brown with black around the eyes with a gray abdomen.
October 6, 2025 at 3:12 PM
One of the spiders we are searching for on our Okefenokee NWF trip later this month is Ceratinopsis bona. Described from southeastern Georgia, this specimen hasn't been seen since it was collected for that description in 1943. It is reddish brown with black around the eyes with a gray abdomen.
Great question! So it really depends on species when judging colouration, however when it comes to ALL females, they will all have an epigynum. I'll attach a picture to show what that is. It appears on their underside when they mature. Hope that helps!
September 17, 2025 at 8:43 PM
Great question! So it really depends on species when judging colouration, however when it comes to ALL females, they will all have an epigynum. I'll attach a picture to show what that is. It appears on their underside when they mature. Hope that helps!
Can anyone identify the object on the ventral midline posterior of the epigynum? I'm not sure if it's anatomy or something else like a parasite.
August 5, 2025 at 11:33 PM
Can anyone identify the object on the ventral midline posterior of the epigynum? I'm not sure if it's anatomy or something else like a parasite.
Almost....
The sperm is not transferred directly, but rather is first deposited on a small web and then taken up by the pedipalps.
During mating, the male spider inserts his pedipalp into the female's epigynum (the female reproductive opening).
The sperm is not transferred directly, but rather is first deposited on a small web and then taken up by the pedipalps.
During mating, the male spider inserts his pedipalp into the female's epigynum (the female reproductive opening).
June 14, 2025 at 10:39 PM
Almost....
The sperm is not transferred directly, but rather is first deposited on a small web and then taken up by the pedipalps.
During mating, the male spider inserts his pedipalp into the female's epigynum (the female reproductive opening).
The sperm is not transferred directly, but rather is first deposited on a small web and then taken up by the pedipalps.
During mating, the male spider inserts his pedipalp into the female's epigynum (the female reproductive opening).
NASPA Word of the Day: ERYNGIUM n a plant of the parsley family. Hook:eryngiumS. Blanagrams:Querying ePigynum emBruing gerAnium gyneCium imPugner meringuE reBuying reLuming reSuming umBering. https://scrabbleplayers.org/cgi-bin/wotd.pl
June 14, 2025 at 12:55 PM
NASPA Word of the Day: ERYNGIUM n a plant of the parsley family. Hook:eryngiumS. Blanagrams:Querying ePigynum emBruing gerAnium gyneCium imPugner meringuE reBuying reLuming reSuming umBering. https://scrabbleplayers.org/cgi-bin/wotd.pl
Seems to correspond well with the photo of the epigynum here:
araneae.nmbe.ch/data/1379
araneae.nmbe.ch/data/1379
araneae - Panamomops sulcifrons
Araneae - Spiders of Europe. An identification tool to European spiders with species descriptions, scientific drawings, distributions and other species related informations
araneae.nmbe.ch
April 26, 2025 at 11:42 AM
Seems to correspond well with the photo of the epigynum here:
araneae.nmbe.ch/data/1379
araneae.nmbe.ch/data/1379
I have enough followers now that I can just use bisky instead of google for niche questions. This is way too much power. 😅
Which is to say... Thank you fellow nerds! I hope to return the favor if anyone needs to know about counting epigynum coils in spider genitalia or whatever
Which is to say... Thank you fellow nerds! I hope to return the favor if anyone needs to know about counting epigynum coils in spider genitalia or whatever
April 22, 2025 at 12:10 AM
I have enough followers now that I can just use bisky instead of google for niche questions. This is way too much power. 😅
Which is to say... Thank you fellow nerds! I hope to return the favor if anyone needs to know about counting epigynum coils in spider genitalia or whatever
Which is to say... Thank you fellow nerds! I hope to return the favor if anyone needs to know about counting epigynum coils in spider genitalia or whatever
I've worked directly this semester with two teams of SDSU undergraduates, imaging SDSU Biodiversity Museum voucher specimens. The students have enjoyed themselves, learning macrophotography & spider morphology
Here's the epigynum of an endemic Cybaeus from the foothills of the CA Sierra Nevada
Here's the epigynum of an endemic Cybaeus from the foothills of the CA Sierra Nevada
April 12, 2025 at 3:09 PM
I've worked directly this semester with two teams of SDSU undergraduates, imaging SDSU Biodiversity Museum voucher specimens. The students have enjoyed themselves, learning macrophotography & spider morphology
Here's the epigynum of an endemic Cybaeus from the foothills of the CA Sierra Nevada
Here's the epigynum of an endemic Cybaeus from the foothills of the CA Sierra Nevada
RRID:SCR_007249, was just reported to be used in "Epigynum auritum-Derived Near-Infrared Carbon Dots for Bioimaging and Antimicrobial Applications". RRIDs like this improve reproducibility in scientific research. #RRID #methodsmatter
doi.org
February 12, 2025 at 8:01 AM
RRID:SCR_007249, was just reported to be used in "Epigynum auritum-Derived Near-Infrared Carbon Dots for Bioimaging and Antimicrobial Applications". RRIDs like this improve reproducibility in scientific research. #RRID #methodsmatter
Thelcticopis hercules Pocock, 1901. Epigynum. Type. NHM, London. c. 1983.
January 31, 2025 at 7:02 PM
Thelcticopis hercules Pocock, 1901. Epigynum. Type. NHM, London. c. 1983.
Stasina nigropicta Pocock, 1899. Male: Type. Female: Specimen in same container. NHM, London. Sketches from c. 1983. Considered a junior synonym of Thelcticopis nalandica (Karsch, 1892). For a recent account see: Sankaran et al. 2024: doi.org/10.11646/zoo...
![Pencil sketch, inked, of palp of type specimen (male) of Stasina nigropicta Pocock, 1899 in collection of Natural History Museum, London. [About 1983, by D. P. Wijesinghe]](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:uafecku2gimxsbzmlcro6dgs/bafkreigkxx2e4p6obwqjiictt7zlrmnk3ywk3joogqymkcbnocpo52sxay)
![Pencil sketch of epigynum of female in same container as Stasina nigropicta Pocock, 1899 type specimen. [About 1983, by D. P. Wijesinghe]](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:uafecku2gimxsbzmlcro6dgs/bafkreigdslpfmbonoxke7yjegmu6yhkmc4narrwszhzh266cuedymwcneq)
January 31, 2025 at 2:50 PM
Stasina nigropicta Pocock, 1899. Male: Type. Female: Specimen in same container. NHM, London. Sketches from c. 1983. Considered a junior synonym of Thelcticopis nalandica (Karsch, 1892). For a recent account see: Sankaran et al. 2024: doi.org/10.11646/zoo...