Changes in composition of spider orb web sticky droplets with starvation and web removal, and synthesis of sticky droplet compounds.

ABSTRACT: The sticky spiral of araneoid spider orb webs consists of silk fibers coated with adhesive droplets. The droplets contain a variety of low-molecular-mass compounds (LMM). Within a species, a fairly consistent ratio of LMM is often observed, but substantial variability can exist. To gain insight into factors influencing LMM composition, spiders of three araneid species were starved and LMM from their webs were analyzed for changes in composition. To determine if these changes were consistent with the spider's ability to synthesize the different organic LMM, synthetic capacities were estimated following the feeding of radiolabeled metabolites. Some changes in droplet composition were broadly consistent with differing synthetic capacities: molar percentages of less readily synthesized compoun

SUBMITTER: Townley MA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC1794320 | biostudies-literature | 2006 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature