Silk production from tarantula feet questioned

Fernando Pérez-Miles (), Alejandra Panzera (), David Ortiz-Villatoro () and Cintya Perdomo ()
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Fernando Pérez-Miles: Sección Entomología, Facultad de Ciencias
Alejandra Panzera: Sección Entomología, Facultad de Ciencias
David Ortiz-Villatoro: Sección Entomología, Facultad de Ciencias
Cintya Perdomo: Sección Entomología, Facultad de Ciencias

Nature, 2009, vol. 461, issue 7267, E9-E9

Abstract: Abstract Arising from: S. N. Gorb et al. Nature 443, 407 (2006)10.1038/443407a ; Gorb et al. reply As with all spiders, tarantulas spin silk from specialized structures in the abdomen called spinnerets, which are key features unique to the group. Recently Gorb et al.1 reported that the zebra tarantula Aphonopelma seemanni also secretes silk from its feet, which might improve its ability to climb on vertical surfaces. Here we show that when the spinnerets are experimentally sealed, the zebra tarantula cannot secrete silk or similar threads, disagreeing with previous reports by Gorb et al.1. Additional evidence also disagrees with leg secretion of silk.

Date: 2009
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DOI: 10.1038/nature08404

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