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  • © 2016

Attachment Structures and Adhesive Secretions in Arachnids

  • First overview on attachment devices and adhesive secretions in Arachnida, from mechanical devices, such as claws and clamps, to adhesive pads, suckers and glue
  • Includes both a thorough literature review and original data. Discusses the topic from structural, physical to evolutionary aspects, and biomimetic potential
  • Well illustrated with 57 figures and 46 supplemental videos

Part of the book series: Biologically-Inspired Systems (BISY, volume 7)

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eBook USD 129.00
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Softcover Book USD 169.99
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Hardcover Book USD 169.99
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Table of contents (11 chapters)

  1. Front Matter

    Pages i-xii
  2. Overview

    • Jonas O. Wolff, Stanislav N. Gorb
    Pages 1-24
  3. Mechanical Attachment Devices

    • Jonas O. Wolff, Stanislav N. Gorb
    Pages 25-52
  4. Tape- and Spatula-Shaped Microstructures

    • Jonas O. Wolff, Stanislav N. Gorb
    Pages 53-70
  5. Nano-fibres

    • Jonas O. Wolff, Stanislav N. Gorb
    Pages 71-78
  6. Mushroom-Shaped Microstructures

    • Jonas O. Wolff, Stanislav N. Gorb
    Pages 79-86
  7. Suction Cups

    • Jonas O. Wolff, Stanislav N. Gorb
    Pages 87-93
  8. Soft Adhesive Pads

    • Jonas O. Wolff, Stanislav N. Gorb
    Pages 95-116
  9. Adhesive Secretions

    • Jonas O. Wolff, Stanislav N. Gorb
    Pages 117-140
  10. Biological Functions and Evolutionary Aspects

    • Jonas O. Wolff, Stanislav N. Gorb
    Pages 141-151
  11. Comparative Contact Mechanics

    • Jonas O. Wolff, Stanislav N. Gorb
    Pages 153-162
  12. Biomimetics: What Can We Learn From Arachnids?

    • Jonas O. Wolff, Stanislav N. Gorb
    Pages 163-172
  13. Back Matter

    Pages 173-184

About this book

This book surveys attachment structures and adhesive secretions occurring in this class of animals and discusses the relationships between structure, properties, and function in the context of evolutionary trends, and biomimetic potential. Topics comprise mechanical attachment devices, such as clamps, claws, hooks, spines and wraps, as well as hairy and smooth adhesive pads, nano-fibrils, suction cups, and viscid and solidifying adhesives. Attachment is one of the major types of interactions between an organism and its environment. There are numerous studies that deal with this phenomenon in lizards, frogs, insects, barnacles, mussels and echinoderms, but the second largest class of animals, the Arachnida, was highly neglected so far. The authors demonstrated that most arachnid adhesive structures are highly analogous to those of insects and vertebrates, but there are also numerous unique developments with some intriguing working principles. Because arachnid attachment organs have a very strong potential of technological ideas for the development of new materials and systems, inspirations from biology could also be interesting for a broad range of topics in materials and surface engineering.

Authors and Affiliations

  • Functional Morphology and Biomechanics, Zoological Institute Kiel University, Kiel, Germany

    Jonas O. Wolff

  • Zoological Institute, Functional Morphology and Biomechanics Zoological Institute, Kiel, Germany

    Stanislav N. Gorb

About the authors



Bibliographic Information

Buy it now

Buying options

eBook USD 129.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book USD 169.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book USD 169.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Other ways to access