noun
- A plate or structure on the underside of the abdomen of female spiders that covers the reproductive opening.
Usage: zoology; arachnology
Examples
- The epigyne is an important diagnostic feature used to identify spider species.
- Arachnologists examine the epigyne under a microscope to classify female spiders accurately.
- The shape and structure of the epigyne vary greatly among different spider families.
- Researchers use epigyne morphology to distinguish between closely related spider species.