Properties of orb weaving spider glycoprotein glue change during Argiope trifasciata web construction.

ABSTRACT: An orb web's prey capture thread relies on its glue droplets to retain insects until a spider can subdue them. Each droplet's viscoelastic glycoprotein adhesive core extends to dissipate the forces of prey struggle as it transfers force to stiffer, support line flagelliform fibers. In large orb webs, switchback capture thread turns are placed at the bottom of the web before a continuous capture spiral progresses from the web's periphery to its interior. To determine if the properties of capture thread droplets change during web spinning, we characterized droplet and glycoprotein volumes and material properties from the bottom, top, middle, and inner regions of webs. Both droplet and glycoprotein volume decreased during web construction, but there was a progressive increase in the glycoprot

SUBMITTER: Opell BD 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6937294 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature