Laterigrade
- Pronunciation
- /LAT-er-uh-grayd/
- Category
- Behavior
- Singular
- Laterigrade
- Plural
- Laterigrades
Definition
A style of locomotion where an organism, such as certain arachnids or crabs, moves sideways with legs extended laterally.
Etymology
From Latin 'latus', meaning 'side', and 'gradus', meaning 'step' or 'walk'.
Example
Crabs and arachnids like the Huntsman spider exhibit a laterigrade manner of walking, moving swiftly side to side.
Synonyms
- Sideways locomotion
Related Terms
- Locomotion
- Cursorial
- Prograde
- Ambulation
Usage Notes
Laterigrade movement is often seen in species adapted to moving quickly in narrow spaces or needing sudden bursts of speed.