Regeneration and autotomy exhibited by the Black Widow spider,Latrodectus variolus walckenaer

Summary Crustaceans, insects and to a lesser degree arachnids have been employed in regeneration studies. Amputation and ligation of the legs was used to determine occurring in a Black Widow spider complied with the developmental gradient model of regeneration. The occurrence of autotomy in this species was also documented. Amputation indicated the most proximal point from which regeneration of the leg could occur was the femoral mid-point. Amputation proximal to that area did not result in leg regeneration. Autotomy following amputation was not observed. Ligation of the legs resulted in autotomy when applied at and proximal to the mid-point of the tibia, increasing in frequency as more proximal segments were ligated. Autotomy always occurred at the trochanter-coxa joint. Autotomized legs did not regenerate. The regeneration observed complied with the developmental gradient model.