Passive transponder implantation in Theraphosidae: A tool for traceability and conservation

Posted by
  Passive transponder implantation in Theraphosidae: A tool for traceability and conservation Abstract Illegal wildlife trade represents a major global threat to biodiversity, with tarantulas among the most heavily trafficked invertebrate groups due to increasing demand in the international pet market, highlighting the urgent need for effective regulatory frameworks and reliable specimen-level traceability systems to distinguish legally bred individuals from illegally sourced ones. Individual identification is essential to support legal trade, strengthen enforcement mechanisms and reduce illegal trafficking; therefore, this study evaluated the feasibility and safety of passive integrated transponder microchip (PIT TAG) implantation for individual identification in multiple tarantula species under controlled laboratory conditions. Post-implantation parameters assessed included anaesthesia recovery time, feeding behaviour, ecdysis frequency, PIT TAG retention across successive moults...

Junctional microstructure of the non-sticky spiral scaffold in the golden orb web spider, Trichonephila clavata

Posted by

 


Junctional microstructure of the non-sticky spiral scaffold in the golden orb web spider, Trichonephila clavata

Abstract

The non-sticky spiral silk, which typically serves as a temporary structural component in most orb-weaving spiders, functions as a permanent scaffold in the golden orb-web spider (Trichonephila clavata). Composed of double strands approximately 4 μm in diameter, the non-sticky spiral forms robust extended junctions exceeding 200 μm in radius. The muscular cell layer observed within the pyriform gland facilitates the active extrusion of pyriform fibers and cement, enabling efficient wrapping at the junctions. These robust junctions stand in stark contrast to the loose, droplet-mediated adhesion seen in sticky spirals, allowing the non-sticky spiral to enhance web stability and effectively prevent damage expansion. Furthermore, the non-sticky spiral plays an important role in localized web repair by replicating the original web's loop patterns to restore damaged areas. These findings suggest that the non-sticky spiral stabilizes the wide intervals between radii in the lower hub region, providing enhanced resistance to external forces and repairing structural damages. The results also demonstrate the evolutionary significance of utilizing non-sticky spiral as a permanent component, facilitating the construction and maintenance of large, densely structured orb webs.


Lee, S., & Moon, M. (2025). Junctional microstructure of the non-sticky spiral scaffold in the golden orb web spider, Trichonephila clavata. Applied Microscopy, 55(1), 1-12. https://doi.org/10.1186/s42649-025-00114-6