What specialized function does foot-spinning using the tarsi potentially serve for the fossorial *A. seemanni* in its burrow?

Answer

Enabling rapid, localized repair of silk lines or reinforcement of burrow entrances

Some tarantulas, including those in this lineage, display the uncommon behavior of spinning silk using their tarsi (feet), rather than solely relying on the abdominal spinnerets. For a sedentary, subterranean animal like *A. seemanni*, this foot-spinning ability offers specific advantages within the confined, dark space of the burrow. It allows for efficient, localized maintenance, such as quickly reinforcing the structural integrity of the silk lining or repairing trip lines near the entrance without needing to maneuver the entire body complexly. This adaptation enhances the structural integrity and sensory network of their fixed, subterranean home range, which serves as their primary interface with the outside world.

What specialized function does foot-spinning using the tarsi potentially serve for the fossorial *A. seemanni* in its burrow?

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