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sigara legs, head, seen from beneath
Sigara falleni
Lesser water boatman, head and front legs

You can recognise that this a male of the species by the wide, or better: high feet (tarsi). I think it's remarkable that the bow of the foot has the same arc as as the contour of the head. It might help in brushing the head neatly. Notice the typical row of short spines on the tarsi (the slanted stripes). Further visible: a "beard" on the beak, the enveloping air bubble and the thinness of the head and the snout. Below: on the first picture one of the front legs, with enhanced contrast. On the foot, which is called pala (shovel) because of the wide shape, is a line of spines which are called pala pegs. The manner in which they are placed on the pala(e) is a determination mark and here it points to Sigara falleni. On the second picture an example of the female's front legs, the right one is also pictured on the last picture. The female's foot is clearly less high and the row of pegs is absent.

sigara, front leg male sigara, front legs female
sigara, front leg female

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COPYRIGHT:
All pictures on this site were made by Gerard Visser (Aadorp, Netherlands), unless stated otherwise. All rights remain with him. These pictures may not be used for purposes any other than private viewing or printing. Should you need them for purposes which include third parties, you must ask the author permission by e-mail. People, who want to use this pictures for exhibitions or publications or educative material are encouraged to do so after approval as mentioned and giving the normal credits.
© G.H. Visser 15-12-2005
rev 05-08-2006

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