Arachnids
-
- Orchard spider
-
- Araneid spider
-
- Orb-web
-
- Arrow-shaped Micrathena
-
- Argiope savignyi
-
- Araneid feeding
-
- X-shaped stabilimentum
-
- Amblypygid
-
- Ricinulei
-
- Ricinulei
-
- Spider
-
- Arrow-shaped Micrathena
-
- Deinopis
-
- Cynorta marginalis
-
- Tarantula
-
- Tarantula
-
- Amblypygid
-
- Scorpion
-
- Wolf spider w/ eggs
-
- Mud-nest harvestman
-
- Argiope savignyi
-
- Wandering spider (Ctenidae)
-
- Golden silk orb-weaver
danielproud 
Pingback: The truth about daddy longlegs « danielproud
Beautiful gallery! I find the very diverse web patterns the most fascinating aspect of it. Is it known what the stabilimenta are for? Is it a mating display?
August 9, 2012 at 9:25 am
Thanks! I agree that the diversity of webs is incredible! There are several hypotheses as to the function of the stabilimentum, each with some supporting evidence: visibility to larger animals, such as birds birds and mammals, to prevent them from accidentally destroying the web; making the spider appear larger; providing camouflage for the spider; or attracting prey species by reflecting ultraviolet light. Although mating display or mate attraction also seems like a very logical explanation I’m not sure there is any empirical evidence supporting it…yet! With the diversity of spiders there is probably one species out there in which the use of a stabilimentum has evolved to serve this purpose!
August 9, 2012 at 12:10 pm