A5064872101- Insect and Arachnid Ecology and Behavior
- Silk-based biomaterials and applications
- Adhesion, Friction, and Surface Interactions
- Spider Taxonomy and Behavior Studies
- Animal Behavior and Reproduction
- Force Microscopy Techniques and Applications
- Fossil Insects in Amber
- Neurobiology and Insect Physiology Research
- Subterranean biodiversity and taxonomy
- Silkworms and Sericulture Research
- Species Distribution and Climate Change
- Amphibian and Reptile Biology
- Freshwater macroinvertebrate diversity and ecology
- Physiological and biochemical adaptations
- Lepidoptera: Biology and Taxonomy
- Marine Biology and Environmental Chemistry
- Hemiptera Insect Studies
- Genetic diversity and population structure
- Genomics and Phylogenetic Studies
- Surface Modification and Superhydrophobicity
- Plant and animal studies
- Plant Surface Properties and Treatments
- Turtle Biology and Conservation
- Bat Biology and Ecology Studies
- Fish Biology and Ecology Studies
Universität Greifswald
2021-2025
Macquarie University
2016-2025
University Medical Center Freiburg
2024-2025
Zoological Institute
2015-2025
University of Freiburg
2025
Peace Research Institute Frankfurt
2020
Kiel University
1998-2019
Google (United States)
2017
Clinical Research Center Kiel
2015
Fritz Haber Institute of the Max Planck Society
2000-2003
Abstract Trait databases have become important resources for large-scale comparative studies in ecology and evolution. Here we introduce the AnimalTraits database, a curated database of body mass, metabolic rate brain size, standardised units, terrestrial animals. The has broad taxonomic breadth, including tetrapods, arthropods, molluscs annelids from almost 2000 species 1000 genera. All data recorded are sourced their original empirical publication, metrics measurements included with each...
Volume changes in ${\mathrm{Zr}}_{46.7}{\mathrm{Ti}}_{8.3}{\mathrm{Cu}}_{7.5}{\mathrm{Ni}}_{10}{\mathrm{Be}}_{27.5}$ bulk metallic glass have been observed by positron-annihilation and density measurements. Excess volume of the order 1% is quenched at cooling rates as low 1--2 K/s. The isothermal relaxation kinetics obey a Kohlrausch law with \ensuremath{\beta} exponents \ensuremath{\sim}0.3 between 180 230 \ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}C. effective activation energy...
Spider pyriform glue exhibits a high adhesive strength and flaw tolerance due to fibrillar compound structure on both micro- nanoscale.
Here Stygophrynus orientalis sp. nov. is described, a new charontid whip spider from Banggai Island, Indonesia, representing the most eastern record of genus exceeding formerly postulated restriction its distribution western Wallace Line. In addition, third known spermatophore species presented, which differs remarkably those previously described genus. Finally, cerotegument structure depicted and compared with that other Charontidae Charinidae.
The use of functional information in the form species traits plays an important role explaining biodiversity patterns and responses to environmental changes. Although relationships between composition, their traits, environment have been extensively studied on a case-by-case basis, results are variable, it remains unclear how generalizable these across ecosystems, taxa spatial scales. To address this gap, we collated 80 datasets from trait-based studies into global database for metaCommunity...
Spiders are a highly diversified group of arthropods and play an important role in terrestrial ecosystems as ubiquitous predators, which makes them suitable to test variety eco-evolutionary hypotheses. For this purpose, knowledge diverse range species traits is required. Until now, data on spider have been scattered across thousands publications produced for over two centuries written languages. To facilitate access such data, we developed online database archiving accessing at global scale....
The morphology of the tarsal attachment system running spider Philodromus dispar Walckenaer 1826 (Araneae, Philodomidae) was studied using scanning electron microscopy and its performance experimentally tested in traction force measurements. Each pretarsus bears a hierarchically built hairy adhesive pad that consists dense array flattened setae covered with numerous microtrichia on substrate-facing side. Microtrichia carry spatulate end tips allow close contact substrate. Forces were...
Spiders are the most important terrestrial predators among arthropods. Their ecological success is reflected by a high biodiversity and conquest of nearly every habitat. closely associated with silk, material, often seen to be responsible for their great gaining attention in life sciences. However, it overlooked that more than half all Recent spider species have abandoned web building or never developed such an adaptation. These must found other, economic solutions prey capture retention,...
A prominent question in animal research is how the evolution of morphology and ecology interacts generation phenotypic diversity. Spiders are some most abundant arthropod predators terrestrial ecosystems exhibit a diversity foraging styles. It remains unclear spider body size proportions relate to style, if use webs as prey capture devices correlates with changes characteristics. Here, we present extensive data set date morphometric ecological traits spiders. We used this estimate change...
Hairy attachment devices that are not supplemented with fluid secretion have evolved independently in lizards and spiders. van der Waals forces previously been shown to be responsible for excellent adhesive properties of these structures, but it has recently reported wetting phenomena also play an important role such ‘dry adhesives’. To investigate the effect ambient humidity on living spider Philodromus dispar , traction force was measured a smooth epoxy resin surface at relative humidities...
Dynamic attachment is the key to move on steep surfaces, with mechanisms being still not well understood. The hunting spider Cupiennius salei (Arachnida, Ctenidae) possesses hairy pads (claw tufts) at its distal legs, consisting of directional branched setae. morphological investigation revealed that adhesive setae are arranged in a radial manner within tarsus. Friction claw tufts smooth glass was measured reveal functional effect seta arrangement pad. Measurements frictional anisotropy both...
Pedipalps are the most versatile appendages of arachnids. They can be equipped with spines (Amblypygi), chelae (Scorpiones), or adhesive pads (Solifugae), all which modifications to grasp and handle fast-moving prey. Harvestmen (Opiliones) show a high diversity pedipalpal morphologies. Some obviously related prey capture, like enlargement heavy spination Laniatores pedipalps. Many Dyspnoi, by contrast, exhibit thin, thread-like pedipalps that covered complex glandular setae (clavate setae)....
Dynamic attachment is the key to moving safely and fast in a three-dimensional environment. Among lizards, hexapods arachnids, several lineages have evolved hairy foot pads that can generate strong friction adhesion on both smooth rough surfaces. A strongly expressed directionality of structures results an anisotropy frictional properties, which might be crucial for control. In natural situation, more than one leg usually contact with substrate. order understand collective effect hunting...
Araneomorph spiders have evolved different silks with dissimilar material properties, serving purposes. The two-compound pyriform secretion is used to glue silk threads substrates or other threads. It applied in distinct patterns, called attachment discs. Although ubiquitously found spider applications and hypothesized be strong versatile at low consumption, the performance of discs on remains unknown. Here, we analyse detachment forces fracture mechanics spun by five species three...
Biomimetics, the transfer of functional principles from living systems into product designs, is increasingly being utilized by engineers. Nevertheless, recurring problems must be overcome if it to avoid becoming a short-lived fad. Here we assess efficiency and suitability methods typically employed examining three flagship examples biomimetic design approaches different disciplines: (1) creation gecko-inspired adhesives; (2) synthesis spider silk, (3) derivation computer algorithms natural...
Foraging is one of the main evolutionary driving forces shaping phenotype organisms. In predators, a significant, though understudied, cost foraging risk being injured by struggling prey. Hunting spiders that feed on dangerous prey like ants or other are an extreme example feeding, risking their own life over meal. Here, we describe intriguing use attachment silk (piriform silk) for immobilization comes with costs reduced anchorage function, increased piriform production and additional...
Abstract More than half of all spider species hunt prey without a web. To successfully subdue their prey, they use adapted capture behaviour and efficient grasping mechanisms to interrupt the prey's locomotion, restrain it from escaping during subsequent handling for final envenomation. In this study, we investigated how different lycosoid is related leg morphology venom efficiency; using high speed videography, feeding experiments, stereomicroscopy, scanning electron microscopy LD 50...
The anchorage of structures is a crucial element construction, both for humans and animals. Spiders use adhesive plaques to attach silk threads substrates. Both biological artificial usually have an optimal loading angle, are prone varying situations. Silk anchorages, however, must cope with in highly variable directions. Here we show that the detachment forces thread anchorages orb-web spiders robust against pulling different This gained by two-step back-and-forth spinning pattern during...
Physical structures built by animals challenge our understanding of biological processes and inspire the development smart materials green architecture. It is thus indispensable to understand drivers, constraints, dynamics that lead emergence modification building behavior. Here, we demonstrate spider web diversification repeatedly followed strikingly similar evolutionary trajectories, guided physical constraints. We found evolution suspended webs intercept flying prey coincided with small...
Many insects possess adhesive foot pads, which enable them to scale smooth vertical surfaces. The function of these organs may be highly affected by environmental conditions. Ladybird beetles (Coccinellidae) dense tarsal soles tenent setae, supplemented with an fluid. We studied the attachment ability seven-spotted ladybird beetle ( Coccinella septempunctata ) at different humidities horizontal traction experiments. found that both low (15%) and high (99%) relative lead a decrease ability....
The tip of the legs concentrates interactions that a spider has with substrate where it lives. We review morphology and evolution feet, discussing functional anatomy their articulations proposing coherent terminology. All spiders consistently have two tendons to operate feet show stereotyped sequence levation pretarsus its claws prior detachment from substrate. A pair slit sensilla, foot slits, provide reliable landmark across most spiders. evolutionary reconstruction morphological variants...
<title>Abstract</title> Background Chemosensation is vital for organisms to detect food, avoid predators, and find mates. Spiders, like many arthropods, rely on chemosensory input, but the modes structures detecting chemicals are not well understood. Cursorial spiders use chemical information orientation mate-finding. Behavioral studies suggest gustation plays a major role in male following silken draglines locate females, of olfaction tools involved chemosensing known, despite important...