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Updated: Jul 6, 2026
09:47
Microdissection of Black Widow Spider Silk-producing Glands
Published on: January 12, 2011
Biomaterials: silk-like secretion from tarantula feet
Stanislav N Gorb1, Senta Niederegger, Cheryl Y Hayashi
1Evolutionary Biomaterials Group, Max Planck Institute for Metals Research, 70569 Stuttgart, Germany. s.gorb@mf.mpg.de
Nature
|September 29, 2006
Summary
Giant zebra tarantulas unexpectedly use foot silk for climbing, preventing dangerous falls. This discovery reveals a new attachment mechanism and sheds light on spider silk evolution.
Area of Science:
- Arachnology
- Zoology
- Biophysics
Background:
- Spiders are known for abdominal spinnerets that produce silk for various functions like prey capture and reproduction.
- A common challenge for arboreal spiders is preventing falls, especially on smooth vertical surfaces.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the attachment mechanisms used by zebra tarantulas (Aphonopelma seemanni) to navigate vertical surfaces.
- To determine if spiders utilize silk for adhesion during locomotion.
Main Methods:
- Observation of zebra tarantulas in Costa Rica.
- Analysis of silk secretion during spider movement on different substrates.
Main Results:
- Zebra tarantulas secrete silk from their feet.
- This foot-secreted silk provides adhesion, enabling spiders to cling to smooth vertical surfaces.
- This mechanism aids in preventing catastrophic falls.
Conclusions:
- Spider silk production is not limited to abdominal spinnerets.
- Foot-based silk secretion represents an unexpected attachment mechanism in spiders.
- This finding offers new insights into the evolutionary diversification of spider silk.
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