And now, the news for spiders.
Posted on Friday, September 29, 2006 in Ask EightAndFive
According to an article in the week’s Nature, the way that tarantulas spin silk may be unique among arachnids. Most spiders produce silk from a specialized organ on the abdomen called a spinneret. Tarantulas, however, secrete the sticky substance from their feet, where it helps them climb surfaces by compensating for the large spider’s weight. The authors say it’s possible that all spiders once had this ability, and that the spinneret actually evolved from a leg, but it’s going to take genetic studies to say for sure. Cool, huh?
Friday, September 29 1:55 pm
If it were any cooler… I would secrete a sticky substance…
Friday, September 29 2:32 pm
That means that before spiders had silk come from their feet it had to start as something not sticky that their feet secreted, turn into something sticky, and then migrate to their ass…. When my feet sweat and I don’t shower they get sticky. Now I just have to start putting my feet in my butt. Then my kids could spin webs! This is why I’m a creationist.
Friday, September 29 3:08 pm
Not YOUR kids, but kids thousands of years down the line from your kids. I just want to see your toes in your ass.
Friday, September 29 3:18 pm
I have a third leg.
Friday, September 29 3:32 pm
Show me.
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