Must see macro pics of the molted Siamese twins!

[robc]

I decided to start a new thread for these pics (as well as posting the pics in the other threads)...wanted to make sure everyone gets a chance to see them. I'm still shocked over these guys...I can't believe they've molted successfully into 1st instars - I had my doubts.

Close up of where the heads meet - they are not joined:

Close up of heads and abdomen - notice there are 4 spinnerettes:

 

[Rindy]

so amazing, it looks like only abdomen and maybe one set of 4th legs are co-joinged? so they will always have to molt on their sides....just amazing...since they are equal size I am guessing they won't be able to hunt and maybe not walk? wow so unique- they have a good parent so who knows, just keep us posted as you do with everything. You are a teacher to us all= thanks

 

[robc]

so amazing, it looks like only abdomen and maybe one set of 4th legs are co-joinged? so they will always have to molt on their sides....just amazing...since they are equal size I am guessing they won't be able to hunt and maybe not walk? wow so unique- they have a good parent so who knows, just keep us posted as you do with everything. You are a teacher to us all= thanks

Actually it's just the abdomen that's conjoined...the legs (all 16) are all seperate. It's been taking turns walking...very interesting to witness. I'd love to get a video of it but I can't zoom close enough with my video camera - it'd just be a fuzzy thing...but I'm going to give it a shot anyway. Who knows...I might get lucky! LOL

 

[upwith inverts!]

A few questions... is it blind, and does it seem to be doing as well as the others? I swear if it makes it to adult hood, that will be a prize. Another 3 questions, do you have any plans for breeding it, what if one side dies, and what if one side is male and the other is female?

 

[Sukai94]

I am so glad they made it through the molt! That is so interesting! Keep us updated!

-Jamie

 

[El Viejo]

That's truly fascinating. I really hope they make it. Do you have any idea as to how closely related the parents are? That's my first thought when I see something like this.

 

[robc]

A few questions... is it blind, and does it seem to be doing as well as the others? I swear if it makes it to adult hood, that will be a prize. Another 3 questions, do you have any plans for breeding it, what if one side dies, and what if one side is male and the other is female?

There's really no answer to any of those questions...trust me, I've thought of them all since discovering this guy...I guess time will tell.

 

[robc]

That's truly fascinating. I really hope they make it. Do you have any idea as to how closely related the parents are? That's my first thought when I see something like this.

Good point but the parents aren't related at all...

 

[Richard McJimsey]

Fantastic pics Rob!
Thanks for posting!

 

[robc]

Another P.irminia oddity

Don't know what to think of this one! The wife and I were cleaning off the P.irminia incubator - just getting some shed molts out - and she noticed this guy. All I can say is that it appears that his legs are on backwards!! ??? He's walking with his carapace and eyes are facing the ground and his fangs and booklungs are facing up...just walking around like that. I'm starting to wonder if one of the parents grew up next to a nuclear power plant!!

Check him out:

 

[Moltar]

Man, what a kooky sac! Those are both very interesting, if slightly gruesome anomalies! If anything the one with reversed legs is even more odd than the siamese twins. Keep documenting please, this is crazy!

 

[robc]

Man, what a kooky sac! Those are both very interesting, if slightly gruesome anomalies! If anything the one with reversed legs is even more odd than the siamese twins. Keep documenting please, this is crazy!

I will for sure!!!

 

[Nerri1029]

That's truly fascinating. I really hope they make it. Do you have any idea as to how closely related the parents are? That's my first thought when I see something like this.

That thinking is off base.

If I remember the biology behind it correctly-

When (siblings or other related) oragisms mate the instance of traits that are "hidden" will show up.

Sooo ONLY if the parents had genes for this "trait" that them being related would have an impact of this showing up.

IMO - this is an developmental anomoly ( two spiders fuzed )
twins ? possibly

JUST my 2 cents...
but hey I'm just a chemist.

 

[robc]

That thinking is off base.

If I remember the biology behind it correctly-

When (siblings or other related) oragisms mate the instance of traits that are "hidden" will show up.

Sooo ONLY if the parents had genes for this "trait" that them being related would have an impact of this showing up.

IMO - this is an developmental anomoly ( two spiders fuzed )
twins ? possibly

JUST my 2 cents...
but hey I'm just a chemist.

Totally agree!!!

 

[flamesbane]

That thinking is off base.

If I remember the biology behind it correctly-

When (siblings or other related) oragisms mate the instance of traits that are "hidden" will show up.

Sooo ONLY if the parents had genes for this "trait" that them being related would have an impact of this showing up.

IMO - this is an developmental anomoly ( two spiders fuzed )
twins ? possibly

JUST my 2 cents...
but hey I'm just a chemist.

I meant to post this exact same thing...

 

[redsaw]

Thats pretty interesting, hope they make it.

 

[AudreyElizabeth]

This is amazing! Talk about an oddity, that little bugger with the backwards legs would fit right in at a Ripley's Believe it or Not Museum. If it survives I'd bet anything you could tong feed it with no problems. How would it drink though?
(It also reminds of the the deleted scene in the Exorcist where Regan does the backwards crab-walk down the staircase )

 

[Fyreflye]

Very interesting cases! Thank you for taking such detailed photographs and sharing this with us.

 

[Rochelle]

Whoa......

These kids remind me of that 3-eyed fish on The Simpsons. Maybe you should name this guy "Blinky?"

Are there alot of really BIG power lines around your house?!?
Keep posting the fantastic weirdness....we're learning alot more than we did in Science class!

 

[upwith inverts!]

If any of those mature:worship:
You should go through them all again to make sure that one doesn have 9 legs or something