Ebook: Spider Ecophysiology
- Tags: Animal Physiology, Invertebrates, Animal Biochemistry, Animal Ecology, Animal Anatomy / Morphology / Histology
- Year: 2013
- Publisher: Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg
- Edition: 1
- Language: English
- pdf
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.
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.
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.
Content:
Front Matter....Pages i-x
Front Matter....Pages 1-1
Evolution and Adaptation of Hemocyanin Within Spiders....Pages 3-14
The Circulatory System of Spiders....Pages 15-27
Tracheae in Spiders: Respiratory Organs for Special Functions....Pages 29-39
Front Matter....Pages 41-41
Hydraulic System of Locomotion....Pages 43-56
Functional Aspects of Spider Scopulae....Pages 57-66
Cost–Benefit Balance of Dispersal and the Evolution of Conditional Dispersal Strategies in Spiders....Pages 67-78
Front Matter....Pages 79-79
The Immune System of Spiders....Pages 81-91
Endosymbiont Infections in Spiders....Pages 93-105
Fungal Pathogens of Spiders....Pages 107-121
Front Matter....Pages 123-123
Chemical Communication and Contact Cuticular Compounds in Spiders....Pages 125-140
Spider Olfaction: Attracting, Detecting, Luring and Avoiding....Pages 141-157
Karyotypes, Sex Chromosomes, and Meiotic Division in Spiders....Pages 159-171
Male Reproductive System of Spiders....Pages 173-187
Front Matter....Pages 189-189
Main Components of Spider Venoms....Pages 191-202
The Neurotoxic Mode of Action of Venoms from the Spider Family Theraphosidae....Pages 203-215
The Cytotoxic Mode of Action of the Venom of Cupiennius salei (Ctenidae)....Pages 217-228
The Evolution of a Toxic Enzyme in Sicariid Spiders....Pages 229-240
Predation by Spitting Spiders: Elaborate Venom Gland, Intricate Delivery System....Pages 241-251
Spider Venoms Potentially Lethal to Humans....Pages 253-264
Front Matter....Pages 265-265
Spider Silk: Molecular Structure and Function in Webs....Pages 267-281
Front Matter....Pages 265-265
Aggregate Silk Gland Secretions of Araneoid Spiders....Pages 283-302
Cribellar Thread....Pages 303-315
Front Matter....Pages 317-317
Insect View of Orb Spider Body Colorations....Pages 319-332
Structural Colors in Spiders....Pages 333-347
UV and Camouflage in Crab Spiders (Thomisidae)....Pages 349-359
Rapid Colour Change in Spiders....Pages 361-370
Front Matter....Pages 371-371
Nutritional Aspects of Spider Feeding....Pages 373-384
Herbivory in Spiders....Pages 385-391
Artificial Diets for Spiders....Pages 393-400
Front Matter....Pages 401-401
Effects of Heavy Metal Contamination....Pages 403-414
Side Effect of Synthetic Pesticides on Spiders....Pages 415-427
Side Effects of Bacillus thuringiensis Toxins on Spiders....Pages 429-439
Effects of Neem on Spiders....Pages 441-447
Front Matter....Pages 449-449
Modelling and Application of the Hydraulic Spider Leg Mechanism....Pages 451-462
Adhesion to Flat Surfaces: From Spiders to Stickers....Pages 463-473
Technical and Biomedical Uses of Nature’s Strongest Fiber: Spider Silk....Pages 475-490
Spider Venom Components as Drug Candidates....Pages 491-503
Back Matter....Pages 505-529
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.
Content:
Front Matter....Pages i-x
Front Matter....Pages 1-1
Evolution and Adaptation of Hemocyanin Within Spiders....Pages 3-14
The Circulatory System of Spiders....Pages 15-27
Tracheae in Spiders: Respiratory Organs for Special Functions....Pages 29-39
Front Matter....Pages 41-41
Hydraulic System of Locomotion....Pages 43-56
Functional Aspects of Spider Scopulae....Pages 57-66
Cost–Benefit Balance of Dispersal and the Evolution of Conditional Dispersal Strategies in Spiders....Pages 67-78
Front Matter....Pages 79-79
The Immune System of Spiders....Pages 81-91
Endosymbiont Infections in Spiders....Pages 93-105
Fungal Pathogens of Spiders....Pages 107-121
Front Matter....Pages 123-123
Chemical Communication and Contact Cuticular Compounds in Spiders....Pages 125-140
Spider Olfaction: Attracting, Detecting, Luring and Avoiding....Pages 141-157
Karyotypes, Sex Chromosomes, and Meiotic Division in Spiders....Pages 159-171
Male Reproductive System of Spiders....Pages 173-187
Front Matter....Pages 189-189
Main Components of Spider Venoms....Pages 191-202
The Neurotoxic Mode of Action of Venoms from the Spider Family Theraphosidae....Pages 203-215
The Cytotoxic Mode of Action of the Venom of Cupiennius salei (Ctenidae)....Pages 217-228
The Evolution of a Toxic Enzyme in Sicariid Spiders....Pages 229-240
Predation by Spitting Spiders: Elaborate Venom Gland, Intricate Delivery System....Pages 241-251
Spider Venoms Potentially Lethal to Humans....Pages 253-264
Front Matter....Pages 265-265
Spider Silk: Molecular Structure and Function in Webs....Pages 267-281
Front Matter....Pages 265-265
Aggregate Silk Gland Secretions of Araneoid Spiders....Pages 283-302
Cribellar Thread....Pages 303-315
Front Matter....Pages 317-317
Insect View of Orb Spider Body Colorations....Pages 319-332
Structural Colors in Spiders....Pages 333-347
UV and Camouflage in Crab Spiders (Thomisidae)....Pages 349-359
Rapid Colour Change in Spiders....Pages 361-370
Front Matter....Pages 371-371
Nutritional Aspects of Spider Feeding....Pages 373-384
Herbivory in Spiders....Pages 385-391
Artificial Diets for Spiders....Pages 393-400
Front Matter....Pages 401-401
Effects of Heavy Metal Contamination....Pages 403-414
Side Effect of Synthetic Pesticides on Spiders....Pages 415-427
Side Effects of Bacillus thuringiensis Toxins on Spiders....Pages 429-439
Effects of Neem on Spiders....Pages 441-447
Front Matter....Pages 449-449
Modelling and Application of the Hydraulic Spider Leg Mechanism....Pages 451-462
Adhesion to Flat Surfaces: From Spiders to Stickers....Pages 463-473
Technical and Biomedical Uses of Nature’s Strongest Fiber: Spider Silk....Pages 475-490
Spider Venom Components as Drug Candidates....Pages 491-503
Back Matter....Pages 505-529
....