Legs (cont.)

Leg characters are useful in identification. The legs may differ in the relative size and shape of the various segments. Overall, legs may be specially adapted through their form for running, predation, digging or jumping. The number of subdivisions in the tarsus (usually called tarsal segments), the number of segments of the trochanter, the characteristics and form of the claws, pads and other structures at the apex of the tarsus and the spines or hairs on the legs may be useful for identification.