The mechanical characterization of the legs, fangs, and prosoma in the spider Harpactira curvipes (Pocock 1897).

ABSTRACT: The exoskeleton of spiders is the primary structure that interacts with the external mechanical stimuli, thus playing a crucial role in spider life. In particular, fangs, legs, and prosoma are the main rigid structures of the exoskeleton and their properties must be measured to better understand their mechanical behaviours. Here we investigate, by means of nanoindentation, the mechanical properties of the external sclerotized cuticles of such parts in the spider Harpactira curvipes. Interestingly, the results show that the leg's cuticle is stiffer than the prosoma and has a stiffness similar to the one of the tip fangs. This could be explained by the legs' function in perceiving vibrations that could be facilitated by higher stiffness. From a broader perspective, this characterization coul

SUBMITTER: Residori S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9338270 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature