Penultimate

Definition

The second-to-last item in a series; in arthropod anatomy, the segment, article, or structure immediately preceding the terminal (ultimate) one in a linear sequence such as a leg, antenna, palp, or body region.

Etymology

From Latin paene ('almost') + ultimus ('last'), via the linguistic term penult.

Example

In spiders, the tibia is the penultimate segment of the leg, located between the patella and the tarsus; in insects, the penultimate antennomere lies just before the terminal flagellomere.

Synonyms

• penult

Related Terms

• ultimate
• antepenultimate
• Distal
• Proximal
• pretarsus
• Telson
• Flagellum

Usage Notes

In arthropod morphology, 'penultimate' is preferred over 'subterminal' for precision in describing serial homology. The term applies to segments (podomeres), articles of antennae or mouthparts, instars in development (the penultimate molt before adulthood), and other countable structures. Contrast with 'ultimate' (the last) and 'antepenultimate' (third from last). In arachnology, 'penultimate' also describes the developmental stage immediately preceding the adult (the final molt), as in 'penultimate male'.