How Do Spiders Die When They Lose a Leg?
WouterSpiders are creatures that are considered creepy by many people. They are also a part of the natural world. There are many dangers that spiders face.
One of the most amazing spider defenses is autotomy. When a spider becomes a juvenile, it can regenerate legs. However, adult spiders cannot do this. So, after a few years, the spider must deal with missing appendages.
Leg loss is a common phenomenon among spiders. It affects their movement, fitness and prey capture behavior. Moreover, it can affect the spider population in the wild.
In addition to being a source of pain, leg loss can lead to dehydration, which can compromise the spider’s ability to right itself. A lack of blood circulation in the legs can also be fatal.
Spiders have a complex circulatory system. The fluid in their skeleton, called hemolymph, is similar to blood in vertebrates. When the pressure of the fluid drops, the legs contract. This is how spiders power their leaps.
Legs also have hip joints that allow spiders to extend and move left and right. Flexor muscles are also present in the spider legs. These flexor muscles naturally want to contract when they are under pressure. Once the pressure is released, the flexor muscle relaxes.
Many spiders have a special mechanism that seals off their legs. This special mechanism helps to minimize the risk of deflating the spider.
Another advantage of regeneration is that it reduces the cost of leg loss. By not depleting resources for survival, spiders can maximize their development time.
