Posted on 08/04/2021 8:22:54 PM PDT by BenLurkin
The researchers isolated two genes involved with leg development. Under a microscope, they were able to see the two genes were activated in the legs while the spider was still an embryo. Next, using RNA interference, they were able to block the activation of the two genes in several samples. The spiders grew up with short legs, and the short legs became pedipalps, limbs typically used for handling food.
The researchers also identified and disabled another gene linked to leg development, which led to spiders with short legs that did not become pedipalps but who did lose their tarsomeres—joints that allow a spider's legs to wrap around objects. They suggest this work could lead to a better understanding of the development of prehensile legs in a wide range of spiders.
The researchers also suggest that as more of the genes involved in leg development in P. opilio and other long-legged species are discovered and studied, it becomes more likely that an explanation for the development of their long legs will be found.
(Excerpt) Read more at phys.org ...
20 years from now the kids will be saying “Ewww Grosss, there’s a Daddy Stubbylegs”
Go for it if you want to. I’ve gotten used to seeing it in the background here and there.
Like the days of Noah.
Instead of calling this new breed “Daddy Long Legs Spiders”, they are now called “Robert Reich Spiders”.
Daddy Asian legs?
They made a mess but they sure did control the mosquitoes in the old house. I had an agreement with them. You eat the mosquitoes, and I won’t vacuum you up with the shop—vac.
Those might be cellar spiders. They are very fond of mosquitoes.
The common “daddy-longlegs” is not a spider. It does not have a segmented body.
https://bugunderglass.com/daddy-longlegs-are-not-spiders/
Get your C*O*V*I*D shot and Robert Reich will look like a giant to you and your surviving offspring ? ? ?
It’s nice to dream!
Daddy long legs are about the only spider I recognize right off. So please keep their legs so I know it’s them and don’t smush them by accident.
#27. There is also a very dangerous tick known as the “Long-legged Deer Tick”. I found one burying into my wife’s side. She never felt a thing and I had to spend a lot of time with a twizzer to pull all of it out of her flesh.
Cleaned it with alcohol and put on antibiotic salve, for days. No fever but it took about a month for the wound to heal completely.
In northern Virginia but not listed for this area per se, only Deer ticks, so beware of anything called “long legs” except old-time dancers.
My favorite Johnny Quest episode.
I say we nuke them from orbit. It’s the only way to be sure.
Dr. Zin is at it again!
Meanwhile, “cock” is a rooster and “roach” is a species of edible fish.
That’s just wrong.
Oh and...”daddy” long legs is racist.
It was all wonderful.
I liked the sequel where the guy trains the Velociraptors and they save him.
Pretty cool movie series, really.
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