Biology of Spiders

Description

One of the only books to treat the whole spider, from its behavior and physiology to its neurobiology and reproductive characteristics, Biology of Spiders is considered a classic in spider literature. First published in German in 1979, the book is now in its third edition, and has established itself as the supreme authority on these fascinating creatures. Containing five hundred new references, this book incorporates the latest research while dispelling many oft-heard myths and misconceptions that surround spiders. Of special interest are chapters on the structure and function of spider webs a.;Title Page -- Copyright Page -- Contents -- Preface -- 1 An Introduction to Spiders -- A Sketch of Spider Systematics -- Funnel-web Spiders (Agelenidae) -- Orb-Web Spiders (Araneidae) -- Wolf Spiders (Lycosidae) -- Crab Spiders (Thomisidae) -- Jumping Spiders (Salticidae) -- Tarantulas (Theraphosidae) -- 2 Functional Anatomy -- Prosoma -- Sternum -- Chelicerae -- Pedipalps and Mouth Parts -- Walking Legs -- Tarsal Claws -- Scopulae and Claw Tufts -- Leg Joints and Musculature -- Innervation -- Leg Receptors -- Internal Organs of the Prosoma: An Overview -- Opisthosoma. Title Page -- Copyright Page -- Contents -- Preface -- 1 An Introduction to Spiders -- A Sketch of Spider Systematics -- Funnel-web Spiders (Agelenidae) -- Orb-Web Spiders (Araneidae) -- Wolf Spiders (Lycosidae) -- Crab Spiders (Thomisidae) -- Jumping Spiders (Salticidae) -- Tarantulas (Theraphosidae) -- 2 Functional Anatomy -- Prosoma -- Sternum -- Chelicerae -- Pedipalps and Mouth Parts -- Walking Legs -- Tarsal Claws -- Scopulae and Claw Tufts -- Leg Joints and Musculature -- Innervation -- Leg Receptors -- Internal Organs of the Prosoma: An Overview -- Opisthosoma. An Overview of the Internal Organs -- Segmentation -- Exoskeleton -- Endoskeleton -- 3 Metabolism -- Venom Glands and Toxicity -- Internal Digestion -- Excretion -- Circulatory System -- Heart and Blood Vessels -- Structure and Function of the Heart -- Blood Cells and Hemolymph -- Respiratory Organs -- Book Lungs -- Tubular Tracheae -- Comparison of the Two Respiratory Systems -- 4 Neurobiology -- Mechanical Senses -- Tactile Hairs -- Trichobothria -- Slit Sense Organs -- Proprioceptors -- Chemical Senses -- Vision -- Eye Structure and Function -- Perception of Polarized Light. The Visual Sense of Jumping Spiders -- Temperature Perception -- Multimodal Sensory Input -- Peripheral Nerves -- Central Nervous System -- General Structure -- Cellular Structure -- Supraesophageal Ganglion ("Brain") -- Subesophageal Ganglion -- Neurosecretion (Stomatogastric System) -- The Central Nervous System and Behavior -- 5 Spider Webs -- Spider Silk -- Silk Glands -- Structure -- Physiology -- Spinnerets -- Webs -- Sheet Webs and Frame Webs -- Orb Webs -- Construction of an Orb Web -- Relation of Structure and Function in the Orb Web -- "Drug Webs." Is Web Building Genetically Determined or Learned? -- Orb Webs and Evolution -- 6 Locomotion and Prey Capture -- Walking -- Mechanics of Walking -- Locomotion on a Thread -- Running on a Sheet Web -- Jumping -- Wheeling Locomotion -- Locomotion on and under Water -- Locomotory Activity -- Prey Capture -- Wandering Spiders -- Web Spiders -- Prey Capture without Venom -- Predation Specialists -- 7 Reproduction -- Internal Sexual Organs -- Testes and Sperm Cells -- Ovaries and Egg Cells -- External Sexual Organs -- Male Copulatory Organs -- Female Copulatory Organs. Filling the Palps ("Sperm Induction") -- Courtship -- Level 1 -- Level 2 -- Level 3 -- Copulation -- Agonistic Behavior -- Brood Care -- Egg Case Construction -- Types of Cocoons -- Caring for the Young -- 8 Development -- Early Development -- The Metameric Phase -- Inversion of the Embryo -- Organ Development -- Development of the Nervous System -- Development of the Gut -- Classification of Developmental Stages -- Growth and Molting -- The Molting Process -- Lifting of the Carapace -- Liberation of the Abdomen -- Extraction of the Extremities -- Physiology of Molting -- Cellular Events.