Wolff, Jonas O. and Gorb, Stanislav N. (2012) Surface roughness effects on attachment ability of the spider Philodromus dispar (Araneae, Philodromidae). Journal of Experimental Biology, 215 (1). pp. 179-184. DOI 10.1242/jeb.061507.

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Abstract

The morphology of the tarsal attachment system of the running spider Philodromus dispar Walckenaer 1826 (Araneae, Philodomidae) was studied using scanning electron microscopy and its performance was experimentally tested in traction force measurements. Each pretarsus bears a hierarchically built hairy adhesive pad that consists of a dense array of flattened setae covered with numerous microtrichia on the substrate-facing side. Microtrichia carry spatulate end tips that allow close contact with the substrate. Forces were estimated on tethered living specimens on rough epoxy resin surfaces (asperity size 0.3, 1, 3, 9 and 12 μm) and on a smooth surface as a control. A strong reduction in adhesion was observed for substrates with an asperity size of 0.3 and 1 μm. Comparison of the present data with previous results of different organisms demonstrates that the difference in force reduction on rough substrata depends on the dimensions of terminal contact elements (spatulae).

Document Type:	Article
Research affiliation:	OceanRep > The Future Ocean - Cluster of Excellence
Refereed:	Yes
Open Access Journal?:	No
Publisher:	The Company of Biologists
Projects:	Future Ocean
Date Deposited:	14 May 2014 09:06
Last Modified:	30 Jul 2019 06:59
URI:	https://oceanrep.geomar.de/id/eprint/24307

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