Noticed something on my P.regalis.

[Bryan_Dennis]

Hi.
After just taking a few pictures of my regalis that moulted a few weeks ago i noticed what looks like a growth/tick/mite right at the rear of the carapace.
I've compared with other species i have and can't see anything similar on them....Anyone have any ideas?

[Guy Tansley]

Nothing to worry about, it's the upper part of the flexible pedicel.

[Bryan_Dennis]

Thanks for the reassurance Guy..

[Colin D Wilson]

Hi Bryan.
you sparked my inquisitiveness a bit here.....
Just got a good look at most of the regalis in a community of mine and about half (mostly the larger specimens) have the same little "growths". never noticed them untill you posted.
seems like a natural thing as Guy says.

[Ray Hale]

Hi Bryan'

Guy is quite right. This is the tube that connects the abdomen to the cephalothorax. Try this site for more info

Ray

http://kaston.transy.edu/anatomy/anatomy.htm

[Colin D Wilson]

I've just looked over the best part of the collection and it seems that the pokies are the only ones here that show such a feature...is it specific to a freshly moulted specimen as the abdomen isn't fully "rounded" with feeding?

Also is this specific to captive bred specimens, it seems quite odd that such a vulnerable part of the spider is exposed?