Spider Ecophysiology
by Wolfgang Nentwig /
2013 / English / PDF
8.9 MB Download
With over 43,000 species, spiders are the largest predacious
arthropod group. They have developed key characteristics such as
multi-purpose silk types, venoms consisting of hundreds of
components, locomotion driven by muscles and hydraulic pressure,
a highly evolved key-lock mechanism between the complex genital
structures, and many more unique features. After 300 million
years of evolutionary refinement, spiders are present in all land
habitats and represent one of the most successful groups of
terrestrial organisms.
With over 43,000 species, spiders are the largest predacious
arthropod group. They have developed key characteristics such as
multi-purpose silk types, venoms consisting of hundreds of
components, locomotion driven by muscles and hydraulic pressure,
a highly evolved key-lock mechanism between the complex genital
structures, and many more unique features. After 300 million
years of evolutionary refinement, spiders are present in all land
habitats and represent one of the most successful groups of
terrestrial organisms.
Ecophysiology combines functional and evolutionary aspects of
morphology, physiology, biochemistry and molecular biology with
ecology. Cutting-edge science in spiders focuses on the
circulatory and respiratory system, locomotion and dispersal
abilities, the immune system, endosymbionts and pathogens,
chemical communication, gland secretions, venom components, silk
structure, structure and perception of colours as well as
nutritional requirements. Spiders are valuable indicator species
in agroecosystems and for conservation biology. Modern transfer
and application technologies research spiders and their products
with respect to their value for biomimetics, material sciences,
and the agrochemical and pharmaceutical industries.
Ecophysiology combines functional and evolutionary aspects of
morphology, physiology, biochemistry and molecular biology with
ecology. Cutting-edge science in spiders focuses on the
circulatory and respiratory system, locomotion and dispersal
abilities, the immune system, endosymbionts and pathogens,
chemical communication, gland secretions, venom components, silk
structure, structure and perception of colours as well as
nutritional requirements. Spiders are valuable indicator species
in agroecosystems and for conservation biology. Modern transfer
and application technologies research spiders and their products
with respect to their value for biomimetics, material sciences,
and the agrochemical and pharmaceutical industries.