Biology of Spiders, 2nd Edition

By Rainer F. Foelix

Book Overview

An enormous amount of research in spider biology in recent years has resulted in significant new insights into this diverse group of organisms. The response to this outpouring is an updated edition of this widely regarded classic. First published in 1979, this was the first textbook on spiders since 1930; the new edition contains all the information gathered since that time, including the entire world literature on spiders up to 1994. The author has completely updated and revised chapters on ecology, phylogeny and systematics to reflect current knowledge. Over 200 illustrations are included as well as an extensive reference section. The only modern textbook available on the subject, this will prove an invaluable resource for professionals, students, and researchers in zoology, entomology, ecology and physiology.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0195095944
• ISBN13: 9780195095944
• Release Date: September 1996
• Publisher: Oxford University Press
• Length: 336 Pages
• Weight: 1.50 lbs.
• Dimensions: 6.1" x 0.8" x 9.3"

Customer Reviews

Essential for every arachnophile

About the only complaint I have with this book is that the author doesn't clearly identify the intended audience. I'll do that for him: if you love spiders you absolutely must have this book. This provides an excellent survey of virtually everything about the biology of spiders. The detail is stupendous, especially the microphotographs of various parts of spider anatomy. This book is probably most appropriate as a text for an upper level college course, but any budding arachnologist should read it. Anyone who loves spiders as I do will love this book.

great book

This is a super book on spiders. Its technical but still understandable. I don't have a science background so I was hoping it wouldn't be too tough to read and its not. It has pictures and it goes through everything you'd like to know about spiders from how they weave webs to how the webs are structured to how they reproduce etc etc. I was interested because I see all these beautiful webs in my gardens and I wanted to learn more about spiders. This gave me justt the depth I was looking for without expecting me to have a pHd in the subject. I really liked this book

The Best Book on Spiders Without a Shadow of a Doubt

One of the few factorial books I have ever been able to read without dropping off after a couple of pages. A really great book eases you gently into the web of facts without getting snared (sorry!). If you love spiders this is your book, if you don't you may change your mind or at least gain a huge amount of admiration for the little beasties! Wonderfully written with clear diagrams and great photos I can wholeheartedly recommend it.

Comprehensive review of 50 year's research on arachnids

This review covers concisely a half-century of research in spider anatomy, development, behavior, and the complete biological profile. It contains a great number of photographs, drawings, and electron micrographs, illustrating precisely what is known about spiders at the publication date of 1996. There is not another reference that comes close to summarizing this knowledge in one place.

Elegant and beautiful

I came to this book after reading every spider field guide, "popular science" title and Internet site I could find, all of which I also found wanting. Foelix's book has all the information I wanted, presented with the calm majesty that only the very best professors can manage. It's truly a college course in itself, always challenging and never condescending.