Silk-like secretion from tarantula feet

Stanislav N Gorb (), Senta Niederegger, Cheryl Y Hayashi, Adam P Summers, Walter Vötsch and Paul Walther
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Stanislav N Gorb: Evolutionary Biomaterials Group, Max Planck Institute for Metals Research
Senta Niederegger: Evolutionary Biomaterials Group, Max Planck Institute for Metals Research
Cheryl Y Hayashi: University of California
Adam P Summers: Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California
Walter Vötsch: Max Planck Institute for Developmental Biology
Paul Walther: University of Ulm

Nature, 2006, vol. 443, issue 7110, 407-407

Abstract: Silk root Spiders spin silk from organs called abdominal spinnerets and use it to catch prey, for protection, reproduction and dispersal. The discovery that zebra tarantulas secrete a silk-like substance from their feet, and use it to help them cling to smooth vertical surfaces, introduces a new source of spider silk as well as a new attachment mechanism. This provides a window on the evolution of spider silk: the genetics involved in producing this tarsal silk should indicate whether the original function of spider silk was to increase traction or whether it was later co-opted for that purpose.

Date: 2006
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DOI: 10.1038/443407a

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