Silk Secretion From Tarantula Feet Revisited: Alleged Spigots Are Probably Chemoreceptors

The study revisited the claim that tarantula feet secrete silk to prevent falls, examining ribbed hairs on tarantula tarsi using microscopy. The findings indicated that these ribbed hairs closely resembled chemosensitive hairs rather than silk-producing spigots, as they had distinct morphological features such as a socket, bent hair shaft, and subterminal pore. No silk threads were observed from these hairs, unlike the common silk threads from spinneret spigots. The study concluded that ribbed hairs are likely chemoreceptors, not silk spigots, and any secretion from them is not confirmed to be silk. The adhesive setae on tarantula legs and pedipalps were deemed more significant for adhesion than any secretion from ribbed hairs.