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Brief Communication Arising
Nature 461, E9 (22 October 2009) | doi:10.1038/nature08404; Received 29 December 2008; Accepted 7 August 2009
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Silk production from tarantula feet questioned
Fernando Pérez-Miles1, Alejandra Panzera1, David Ortiz-Villatoro1 & Cintya Perdomo1
Abstract
Arising from: S. N. Gorb et al. Nature 443, 407 (2006); Gorb et al. reply
As with all spiders, tarantulas spin silk from specialized structures in the abdomen called spinnerets, which are key features unique to the group. Recently Gorb et al.1 reported that the zebra tarantula Aphonopelma seemanni also secretes silk from its feet, which might improve its ability to climb on vertical surfaces. Here we show that when the spinnerets are experimentally sealed, the zebra tarantula cannot secrete silk or similar threads, disagreeing with previous reports by Gorb et al.1. Additional evidence also disagrees with leg secretion of silk.
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