Spider Ecophysiology

Spider Ecophysiology
Wolfgang Nentwig
1st edition
529 pages
ISBN-13: 978-3642339882
ISBN-10: 3642339883

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.



Table of Contents

Part I Respiration and Circulatory System
1 Evolution and Adaptation of Hemocyanin Within Spiders
2 The Circulatory System of Spiders
3 Tracheae in Spiders: Respiratory Organs for Special Functions

Part II Locomotion and Dispersal
4 Hydraulic System of Locomotion
5 Functional Aspects of Spider Scopulae
6 Cost–Benefit Balance of Dispersal and the Evolution of Conditional Dispersal Strategies in Spiders

Part III Immune System and Pathogens
7 The Immune System of Spiders
8 Endosymbiont Infections in Spiders
9 Fungal Pathogens of Spiders

Part IV Chemical Communication and Reproduction
10 Chemical Communication and Contact Cuticular Compounds in Spiders
11 Spider Olfaction: Attracting, Detecting, Luring and Avoiding
12 Karyotypes, Sex Chromosomes, and Meiotic Division in Spiders
13 Male Reproductive System of Spiders

Part V Venom
14 Main Components of Spider Venoms
15 The Neurotoxic Mode of Action of Venoms from the Spider Family Theraphosidae
16 The Cytotoxic Mode of Action of the Venom of Cupiennius salei (Ctenidae)
17 The Evolution o fa Toxic Enzyme in Sicariid Spiders
18 Predation by Spitting Spiders: Elaborate Venom Gland, Intricate Delivery System
19 Spider Venoms Potentially Lethal to Humans

Part VI Silk
20 Spider Silk: Molecular Structure and Function in Webs
21 Aggregate Silk Gland Secretions of Araneoid Spiders
22 Cribellar Thread

Part VII Colouration
23 Insect View of Orb Spider Body Colorations
24 Structural Colors in Spiders
25 UV and Camouflage in Crab Spiders (Thomisidae)
26 Rapid Colour Change in Spiders

Part VIII Nutrition
27 Nutritional Aspects of Spider Feeding
28 Herbivory in Spiders
29 Artificial Diets for Spiders

Part IX Ecotoxicology
30 Effects of Heavy Metal Contamination
31 Side Effect of Synthetic Pesticides on Spiders
32 Side Effects of Bacillus thuringiensis Toxins on Spiders
33 Effects of Neem on Spiders

Part X Applications
34 Modelling and Application of the Hydraulic Spider Leg Mechanism
35 Adhesion to Flat Surfaces: From Spiders to Stickers
36 Technical and Biomedical Uses of Nature’s Strongest Fiber: Spider Silk
37 Spider Venom Components as Drug Candidates

Appendix: Spider Phylogeny
Subject Index