Spinneret: Difference between revisions
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[[Image:spinneret seen on cross spider, small.jpg|thumb|The spinneret can be seen on this Cross Spider at the rear end]] |
[[Image:spinneret seen on cross spider, small.jpg|thumb|The spinneret can be seen on this Cross Spider at the rear end]] |
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A '''spinneret''' is a [[spider]]'s or [[insect]] [[larva]]'s [[spider silk|silk]]-spinning [[organ (anatomy)|organ]]. It is usually on the underside of a spider's [[abdomen]], to the rear. While most spiders have six spinnerets, some have two, four, or eight. They move independently and in concert. Different [[species]] of spiders use silk extruded from spinnerets to build [[spider web|webs]], to entrap insects by running round them, to make egg-cases, to catch the wind and fly ([[ballooning (spider)|ballooning]] by [[gossamer]] spiders), etc. Some insect larvae (including [[silkworm]]s) extrude silk to make a protective [[ |
A '''spinneret''' is a [[spider]]'s or [[insect]] [[larva]]'s [[spider silk|silk]]-spinning [[organ (anatomy)|organ]]. It is usually on the underside of a spider's [[abdomen]], to the rear. While most spiders have six spinnerets, some have two, four, or eight. They move independently and in concert. Different [[species]] of spiders use silk extruded from spinnerets to build [[spider web|webs]], to entrap insects by running round them, to make egg-cases, to catch the wind and fly ([[ballooning (spider)|ballooning]] by [[gossamer]] spiders), etc. Some insect larvae (including [[silkworm]]s) extrude silk to make a protective [[Pupa#Cocoon|cocoon]] for their [[metamorphosis]]. |
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The discovery of silk-producing organs on the feet of the zebra tarantula (''[[Aphonopelma]] seemanni'') has led to questions about the origins of spinnerets. It has been hypothesised that spinnerets were originally used as climbing aids on the feet and evolved and were used for webmaking at a later time.<ref>{{cite journal | first = SN | last = Gorb | coauthors = Niederegger S, Hayashi CY, Summers AP, Votsch W, Walther P | year = 2006 | month = September 28 | title = Bio materials: silk-like secretion from tarantula feet | journal = Nature | volume = 443 | issue = 7110 | pages = 407 | pmid = 17006505 | accessdate = 2006-10-23 | doi = 10.1038/443407a}}</ref> |
The discovery of silk-producing organs on the feet of the zebra tarantula (''[[Aphonopelma]] seemanni'') has led to questions about the origins of spinnerets. It has been hypothesised that spinnerets were originally used as climbing aids on the feet and evolved and were used for webmaking at a later time.<ref>{{cite journal | first = SN | last = Gorb | coauthors = Niederegger S, Hayashi CY, Summers AP, Votsch W, Walther P | year = 2006 | month = September 28 | title = Bio materials: silk-like secretion from tarantula feet | journal = Nature | volume = 443 | issue = 7110 | pages = 407 | pmid = 17006505 | accessdate = 2006-10-23 | doi = 10.1038/443407a}}</ref> |
Revision as of 21:18, 16 October 2010
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![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e8/Araneus_diadematus_underside_1.jpg/220px-Araneus_diadematus_underside_1.jpg)
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/2a/Spinneret_seen_on_cross_spider%2C_small.jpg/220px-Spinneret_seen_on_cross_spider%2C_small.jpg)
A spinneret is a spider's or insect larva's silk-spinning organ. It is usually on the underside of a spider's abdomen, to the rear. While most spiders have six spinnerets, some have two, four, or eight. They move independently and in concert. Different species of spiders use silk extruded from spinnerets to build webs, to entrap insects by running round them, to make egg-cases, to catch the wind and fly (ballooning by gossamer spiders), etc. Some insect larvae (including silkworms) extrude silk to make a protective cocoon for their metamorphosis.
The discovery of silk-producing organs on the feet of the zebra tarantula (Aphonopelma seemanni) has led to questions about the origins of spinnerets. It has been hypothesised that spinnerets were originally used as climbing aids on the feet and evolved and were used for webmaking at a later time.[1]
References
- ^ Gorb, SN (2006). "Bio materials: silk-like secretion from tarantula feet". Nature. 443 (7110): 407. doi:10.1038/443407a. PMID 17006505.
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