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Updated: Mar 30, 2026

Quantifying Corticolous Arthropods Using Sticky Traps
Published on: January 19, 2020
Tarantulas (Araneae: Theraphosidae) use different adhesive pads complementarily during climbing on smooth surfaces:
Fernando Pérez-Miles1, Carlos Perafán2, Laura Santamaría2
1Sección Entomología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de la República, Iguá 4225, Montevideo 11400, Uruguay myga@fcien.edu.uy.
Abstract:
Tarantulas are large spiders with adhesive setae on their legs, which enable them to climb on smooth vertical surfaces. The mechanism proposed to explain adhesion in tarantulas is anisotropic friction, where friction is higher when the leg pushes than when it pulls. However, previous studies and measurements of adhesion in theraphosids were performed using dead specimens. To test their ability to climb, we studied static friction of live theraphosid spiders on different surfaces and at different inclines. We compared burrower with arboreal species to test the hypothesis of higher friction in arboreal tarantulas. We found a complementary participation of claw tufts and scopula of anterior and posterior legs when the tarantula climbs. The mechanics of climbing in association with the biological characteristics of the species are discussed.
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