Biology of SpidersOne of the only books to treat the whole spider, from its behavior and physiology to its neurobiology and reproductive characteristics, Biology of Spiders is considered a classic in spider literature. First published in German in 1979, the book is now in its third edition, and has established itself as the supreme authority on these fascinating creatures. Containing five hundred new references, this book incorporates the latest research while dispelling many oft-heard myths and misconceptions that surround spiders. Of special interest are chapters on the structure and function of spider webs and silk, as well as those on spider venom. A new subchapter on tarantulas will appeal especially to tarantula keepers and breeders. The highly accessible text is supplemented by exceptional, high-quality photographs, many of them originals, and detailed diagrams. It will be of interest to arachnologists, entomologists, and zoologists, as well as to academics, students of biology, and the general reader curious about spiders. |
Contents
3 | |
17 | |
3 Metabolism | 49 |
4 Neurobiology | 83 |
5 Spider Webs | 136 |
6 Locomotion and Prey Capture | 188 |
7 Reproduction | 218 |
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Common terms and phrases
abdomen adult Agelena Amaurobius araneids Araneus diadematus Argiope arrow attached autotomy Barth behavior bite body book lungs Bristowe calamistrum capture thread catching cells chelicerae cheliceral fang claws cocoon copulation courtship coxae crab spiders cribellate cribellum Cupiennius cuticle cuticular dendritic dorsal dragline duct Eberhard egg sac feeding female female’s fibers Figure Foelix front legs function ganglia hair shaft hemolymph Homann insects instance Jackson joint jumping spider lateral layer linyphiids main eyes male male’s membrane Mesothelae molt muscles mygalomorphs Nephila nerve neuropil opisthosoma orb weavers orb webs organs pair palpal palps pheromones Photo posterior prey capture prosoma radial threads radii retreat Rovner Salticidae secondary eyes segments sensory Seyfarth signals silk threads species sperm spider families spigots spinnerets sticky spiral structure tarantulas tarsal Tegenaria temperature theridiids trichobothria tube typical Uetz uloborid venom glands ventral vibrations visual Vollrath wandering spiders wasps whereas wolf spiders young spiderlings Zygiella