NDL 00011 | Wandering Spider | The Wandering Spider's Vibration Sensing Structure
The wandering spider’s hunting prowess relies on a structure called a lyriform organ. The lyriform organs of the wandering spiders can sense vibration and distinguish the differences between the wind causing plant motion, a potential mate communication, and the motions of prey.
The wandering spider’s hunting prowess relies on a structure called a lyriform organ. The lyriform organs of the wandering spiders can sense vibration and distinguish the differences between the wind causing plant motion, a potential mate communication, and the motions of prey.
The wandering spider’s hunting prowess relies on a structure called a lyriform organ. The lyriform organs of the wandering spiders can sense vibration and distinguish the differences between the wind causing plant motion, a potential mate communication, and the motions of prey.
The wandering spider remains hidden in the shelter of stalkless, leafed plants by day and uses the same leaf as its hunting platform at night. Its hunting prowess relies on a unique structure called a lyriform organ to sense vibrations transmitted through the plant. The spider can distinguish the vibrational differences between the wind-induced plant movement, a potential mate sending communication signals, and the movements of potential prey. The lyriform organ is a rippled, slit-like structure built into the spider's exoskeleton on the legs and body. As incoming vibrations deform the lyriform organ, the inner and outer membrane movement activates the nerves transmitting sensory information to the spider.