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Ultraviolet reflectance of spiders and their webs

Zschokke, S.. (2002) Ultraviolet reflectance of spiders and their webs. The journal of arachnology, Vol. 30, Nr. 2. pp. 246-254.

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Official URL: http://edoc.unibas.ch/dok/A5252274

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Abstract

To determine the reflectance of spider webs and spiders under ultraviolet (UV) light, spiders and their webs were photographed under normal (white) light and under UV light. It was found that all silks in araneoid webs reflect slightly more UV light than white light; i.e., they had a positive UV-brightness. However, the often cited, particularly high UV-brightness of stabilimenta could not be confirmed. Spiders differed in their UV-brightness, with most spiders reflecting less UV light than white light. Based on the knowledge of the visual system of insects and invertebrates it is suggested that the main function of stabilimenta is predator defense. However, drawing a final conclusion requires more knowledge on the way potential predators and prey perceive spiders, spider webs and stabilimenta.
Faculties and Departments:05 Faculty of Science > Departement Umweltwissenschaften > Ehemalige Einheiten Umweltwissenschaften > Naturschutzbiologie (Baur)
UniBasel Contributors:Zschokke, Samuel
Item Type:Article, refereed
Article Subtype:Research Article
Publisher:JSTOR
ISSN:0161-8202
Note:Publication type according to Uni Basel Research Database: Journal article
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Last Modified:02 Oct 2015 10:00
Deposited On:22 Mar 2012 14:04

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