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. |
From inside the book
Page 3
... posterior part, the opisthosoma (or abdomen). These are connected by a narrow stalk, the pedicel (fig. 1.2). The prosoma's functions are mainly for locomotion, food uptake, and nervous integration (as the site of the central nervous ...
... posterior part, the opisthosoma (or abdomen). These are connected by a narrow stalk, the pedicel (fig. 1.2). The prosoma's functions are mainly for locomotion, food uptake, and nervous integration (as the site of the central nervous ...
Page 4
... posterior end. At present taxonomists recognize about 40,000 spider species, which they group into 110 families (Platnick, 2009). How this diversity should be arranged into a “natural” system of classification is still very much a ...
... posterior end. At present taxonomists recognize about 40,000 spider species, which they group into 110 families (Platnick, 2009). How this diversity should be arranged into a “natural” system of classification is still very much a ...
Page 6
... (Brachypelma, ventral view), having a roughly parallel alignment. (b) labidognath chelicerae (Tegenaria, posterior view), opposing each other. Figure 1.7 (a) Juvenile house spider (Tegenaria) sitting at the. 6 BIOLOGY OF SPIDERS.
... (Brachypelma, ventral view), having a roughly parallel alignment. (b) labidognath chelicerae (Tegenaria, posterior view), opposing each other. Figure 1.7 (a) Juvenile house spider (Tegenaria) sitting at the. 6 BIOLOGY OF SPIDERS.
Page 11
... posterior row (fig. 2.2). About 2300 different species occur all over the world, and they vary quite a bit in size. Smaller wolf spiders (4–10 mm body length) roam freely among stones or low vegetation; only the larger representatives ...
... posterior row (fig. 2.2). About 2300 different species occur all over the world, and they vary quite a bit in size. Smaller wolf spiders (4–10 mm body length) roam freely among stones or low vegetation; only the larger representatives ...
Page 12
... Posterior Median Eyes (Photos: Ortega-Escobar.) (c) The Australian wolf spider Tasmanicosa lives in silk-lined tubes in the soil. (d) At dusk the spider sits at the entrance of its burrow waiting for prey to pass by. (Photos c, d: Rast ...
... Posterior Median Eyes (Photos: Ortega-Escobar.) (c) The Australian wolf spider Tasmanicosa lives in silk-lined tubes in the soil. (d) At dusk the spider sits at the entrance of its burrow waiting for prey to pass by. (Photos c, d: Rast ...
Contents
3 | |
17 | |
3 Metabolism | 49 |
4 Neurobiology | 83 |
5 Spider Webs | 136 |
6 Locomotion and Prey Capture | 188 |
7 Reproduction | 218 |
8 Development | 262 |
9 Ecology | 287 |
10 Phylogeny and Systematics | 327 |
Bibliography | 345 |
Index | 411 |
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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