What allows *Dolomedes* spiders to breathe while submerged beneath the water?

Answer

Their hydrophobic hairs trap a silvery layer of air around their book lungs

When a *Dolomedes* spider actively dives under the water, its water-repelling hairs play a crucial role in respiration. These hairs effectively trap a thin layer of air against the spider's body, creating a visible, silvery film surrounding it. This trapped air functions as a physical store of oxygen, enabling the spider to continue breathing using its book lungs while submerged. This adaptation is so effective that some documented observations suggest they can remain underwater for periods potentially lasting 30 minutes or more, before floating back to the surface dry due to the air's buoyancy.

What allows *Dolomedes* spiders to breathe while submerged beneath the water?

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