If you've ever encountered the dreaded snot spiders, you may have noticed they have about a hundred limbs. These limbs are called phalanges and are complex muscles and tendons. Thanks to this device, spiders are able to move in almost all directions.
Spiders' phalanges are one of the most interesting and mysterious parts of their body and can provide clues about how life appeared on Earth. Let's figure out what phalanges are?
This is a complex organ consisting of muscle and nerve fibers, located along the spider’s limbs and is the main instrument of the motor function of the spider’s body. The phalanx is an excellent example of an adaptation that can improve the plasticity of behavior in a territory. The more phalanges, the more flexible and correct the spider’s movements will become. For example, people can improve their posture through exercise—the powers of our minds are entirely responsible for our appearance. The same is true for other animals.
Thus, the phalanges are an effective means of helping to adapt to different circumstances. Collectively, these traits have given spiders great success in their exciting lives and allowed them to become comfortable in nature. They managed to hide from birds and mice, strong predators and parasites, and forced their front paws to adapt and protect the body, avoiding collisions with them. But what else are phalanges used for besides protecting the body? Many arachnids use their front legs to catch prey and perform various family duties. Why else are phalanges needed in such life situations? This is an excellent tool for catching sacrificial food and protection.