preabdomen

English

Etymology

From pre- +‎ abdomen.

Noun

preabdomen (plural preabdomens or preabdomina)

1. The enlarged anterior portion of the abdomen of a scorpion or sea scorpion
2. (entomology) The anterior segments of the abdomen, distinguished from the posterior segments holding the reproductive apparatus.
   • 2013, Verner Michelsen, “Proposal of Karliella gen. n. for the Afrotropical ‘Pegomya’ sexpunctata Karl, 1935 (Diptera: Anthomyiidae), a possible kleptoparasite of dung-breeding beetles”, in African Invertebrates, volume 54, number 2, →DOI, pages 335–347:

     The anthomyiid oviscapt (postabdomen) is as regards the ground plan undoubtedly slender, well set off from and hardly shorter than the preabdomen, and has slender cerci with projecting, cylindrical apices.