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

Thumbnail Image

Files

Binder1_properties.pdf (1.81 MB)
Supplements.pdf (213.19 KB)

Links to Files

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-019-56707-1

Permanent Link

https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-019-56707-1
 http://hdl.handle.net/11603/17451

Collections

UMBC Biological Sciences Department
UMBC Faculty Collection

Author/Creator

Author/Creator ORCID

Date

2019-12-30

Type of Work

journal articles
Text

Department

Program

Citation of Original Publication

Opell, B.D., Stellwagen, S.D. Properties of orb weaving spider glycoprotein glue change during Argiope trifasciata web construction. Sci Rep 9, 20279 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-019-56707-1

Rights

This item is likely protected under Title 17 of the U.S. Copyright Law. Unless on a Creative Commons license, for uses protected by Copyright Law, contact the copyright holder or the author.
Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)

Subjects

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 glycoprotein’s Young’s modulus and toughness. Increases in the percentage of droplet aqueous material indicated that these increases in material properties are not due to reduced glycoprotein viscosity resulting from lower droplet hygroscopicity. Instead, they may result from changes in aqueous layer compounds that condition the glycoprotein. A 6-fold difference in glycoprotein toughness and a 70-fold difference in Young’s modulus across a web documents the phenotypic plasticity of this natural adhesive and its potential to inspire new materials.