1/4/2023 0 Comments Aim lab umd![]() The implications of this research are abundant. This research will be novel to the field of arachnology and furthermore, will also be significant to field of evolutionary biology regarding fundamental hypotheses about trait adaptation and diversification. This exploratory project seeks to fill in this gap by addressing the following questions: 1) how does cheliceral function change in the “primitive” spiders compared to the more-derived spiders? 2) how does cheliceral function change among different sized spiders? These questions will be addressed through the use of micro-CT scanning, high-speed videography, and measurements of force production among different groups of spiders. While research involving the biomechanics and evolution of spider silk has dominated the field, an important and necessary facet of spider evolution and life history has been largely ignored, that of the function of chelicerae (similar in function to jaws or mandibles) to capture and envenomate prey. In the field of arachnology, there is a large gap, in that virtually no researchers work at the interface between chelicerae function and spider diversification. Hannah Wood (Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History) and Jeffrey Schultz (CMNS/Entomology, UMD) ![]() ![]() If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us:īridging biomechanics and macroevolution: spider cheliceral function and diversification We will update this site as information becomes available. For example, the Smithsonian is exploring a seed pool for academic collaborations that does not focus on specific academic institutions but rather on pan-institutional strategic priorities. ![]() To maximize any future investments, our leadership teams will take time to reassess the strengths of our collaboration and cement new avenues for continued and supported research collaboration. Over the past 7 years, this program has supported a wide variety of joint research projects which have resulted in funded grants, publications, performances, and a myriad of opportunities for student/post doc training, research, and advancement. Please note: The Smithsonian-UMD Seed Grant Program will not run in 2017. ![]()
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