Aims and Hypotheses
We aim to establish a methodology for quantifying amblypygid pedipalp complexity in the absence of homologous landmarks, and to characterise the patterns in gross shape complexity across the group. Our goal is to understand its evolutionary drivers. Specifically, we hypothesise:
H1 - Given the pedipalps’ previous roles as taxonomic characters, we expect that species can be statistically differentiated from one another on the basis of pedipalp outline shape.
H2 - Across species, shape complexity will decrease with relative pedipalp length (normalised to body size), trading off shape complexity for segment elongation. Previous GMM analysis withinDamon variegatus found relative spine length to decrease with increasing pedipalp length (McLean et al., 2020), yet the degree to which this intraspecific pattern in static allometry holds true across the order is unclear.
H3 - Females will possess higher palpal complexity than males. This is likewise informed by McLean et al. (2020), in which relative spine length was found to be significantly higher in femaleDamon variegatus than males.