Silk production from tarantula feet questioned.
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. 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.. Additional evidence also disagrees with leg secretion of silk.
Sección Entomología, Facultad de Ciencias, Iguá 4225, 11400 Montevideo, Uruguay.
Fernando
F
Pérez-Miles
Alejandra
A
Panzera
David
D
Ortiz-Villatoro
Cintya
C
Perdomo
D000005:Abdomen / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology; D000818:Animals; D005121:Extremities / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology*; D006197:Hair; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D047011:Silk / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000378:metabolism*; D013112:Spiders / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000502:physiology*
D047011:Silk