article: Foelix et al. (2009): urticating hairs of Ephebopus cyanognathus

[Martin Huber]

• FOELIX, R. F., B. RAST & B. ERB (2009): Über die Brennhaare von Ephebopus cyanognathus West & Marshall, 2000. ARACHNE 14(2): 4-13.
  
  Abstract:
  Ephebopus species are exceptional with respect to their urticating hairs: they are the only tarantulas that have their urticating hairs on the palps rather than on the abdomen. This was discovered by Marshall & Uetz (1990) but detailed descriptions on the morphology of the urticating hairs and on the mechanism of the »palp flicking« response were lacking so far.
  We have used light and scanning electronmicroscopy to provide a fine structural analysis of these urticating hairs. Video films taken of the defense reaction of provoked spiders revealed the interactions between the pedipalps and the chelicerae. Apparently a single rapid upward stroke (0.1s) of the pedipalps against the chelicerae is sufficient to release a puff of airborne urticating hairs.

BTW, the article is written in german.

all the best,
Martin

[Kevin Schneider]

Would be really nice, if i could also have a copy of this one.

Sorry that I didn't recognize it before

Kevin1990@hotmail.de

Greetings,
Kevin S

[Martin Huber]

Hello Kevin,

in a few days, you can get it >>here<<

...BTW, why not get a member of the Deutsche Arachnologische Gesellschaft e. V. and get articles like this as soon as they are printed?

all the best,
Martin