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The Journal of Experimental Biology 206, 2733-2738 (2003)
doi: 10.1242/jeb.00478

Adhesion measurements on the attachment devices of the jumping spider Evarcha arcuata

A. B. Kesel*, A. Martin and T. Seidl

Department of Zoology, Technical Biology and Bionics, Saarland University, D-66041 Saarbrücken, Germany

* Author for correspondence (e-mail: a.kesel{at}rz.uni-sb.de)

Accepted 6 May 2003

The feet of the jumping spider Evarcha arcuata attach to rough substrates using tarsal claws. On smooth surfaces, however, attachment is achieved by means of a claw tuft, the scopula. All eight feet bear a tarsal scopula, which is equipped with setae, these again being covered by numerous setules. In E. arcuata, an estimated 624 000 setules, with a mean contact area of 1.7x105 nm2, are present. The spider's entire contact area thus totals 1.06x1011 nm2. Adhesion to the substrate does not depend on the secretion of an adhesive fluid. Analysis via atomic force microscopy (AFM) shows that a single setule can produce an adhesive force (Fa) of 38.12 nN perpendicular to a surface. Consequently, at a total Fa of 2.38x10–2 N and a mean body mass of 15.1 mg, a safety factor (SF; Fa/Fm, where Fm is weight) of 160 is achieved. Tenacity ({tau}n; Fa/A, where A is area of contact) amounts to 2.24x105 N m-2.

Key words: dry adhesion, ultrastructure, scopula, claw tuft, seta, setule, safety factor, atomic force microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, spider, Evarcha arcuata


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