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.