https://phys.org/news/2023-04-orb-weaver-spider-properties-evolve.html Phys.org Topics * Week's top * Latest news * Unread news * Subscribe [ ] Science X Account [ ] [ ] [*] Remember me Sign In Click here to sign in with or Forget Password? Not a member? Sign up Learn more * Nanotechnology * Physics * Earth * Astronomy & Space * Chemistry * Biology * Other Sciences * Medical Xpress Medicine * Tech Xplore Technology [INS::INS] * * share this! * 1.5K * 23 * Share * Email 1. Home 2. Biology 3. Plants & Animals 1. Home 2. Biology 3. Evolution * * * --------------------------------------------------------------------- April 18, 2023 Editors' notes This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies. Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: fact-checked peer-reviewed publication trusted source proofread Orb weaver spider glue properties evolve faster than their glue genes, scientists find by Frontiers orb weaver spider Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain Spiders that don't weave good silk don't get to eat. The silk spiders produce to create their webs is key to their survival--but spiders live in many different places that require webs fine-tuned for local success. Scientists have now studied the glue that makes orb weaver spiders' webs sticky to understand how its material properties vary in different conditions. "Discovering the sticky protein components of biological glues opens the doors to determining how material properties evolve," said Dr. Nadia Ayoub of Washington and Lee University, co-corresponding author of the study published in Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution. "Spider silk fibers and glues represent a fantastic model for answering such questions since they are primarily made of proteins and proteins are encoded by genes." "Spider silks and glues have huge biomimetic potential," added Dr. Brent Opell of Virginia Tech, co-corresponding author. "Spiders make glues with impressive properties that would have applications in industry, medicine, and beyond." Tangled up in spider webs Each strand of an orb weaver spider's web contributes to the capture of food. The web has a stiff frame that absorbs the impact of prey, which is then trapped by sticky lines until the spider can tackle it. These lines are made sticky by an aqueous glue synthesized in aggregate glands. The glue absorbs water from the atmosphere and must be optimized to achieve the best stickiness results for the local humidity. But there are many species of orb weaver spider living in different environments, which means their glue must adapt to different levels of humidity. To understand how spider glue stickiness adapts, Ayoub and her colleagues focused on two species, Argiope argentata, which lives in dry environments; and Argiope trifasciata, which lives in humid environments. The team collected webs from A. trifasciata in the wild and had A. argentata spiders build webs in the lab. To ensure that these webs were equivalent to webs in the wild, the scientists fed the spiders a diet comparable to their usual prey and compared glue droplet volume to wild controls to make sure that the humidity in the lab wasn't affecting the droplets' properties. They then analyzed the proteins in the glue and the droplets' material properties. A sticky situation The team found that droplets from A. argentata spiders are smaller than those from A. trifasciata and absorb less water as local humidity increases. They also had smaller protein cores, occupying a smaller proportion of the droplet's volume, and absorbed less water from the atmosphere. The toughness of glue droplets for both species of spider is based on the stiffness of the protein core of the droplets, and A. argentata protein core toughness decreased as the humidity went up. A. argentata thread glue droplets were generally more closely spaced and stickier. The scientists also analyzed the proteins found in the glue droplets to understand how these differences in material properties arise from the proteins. Although the proteins they found were similar, they appeared in different proportions, and A. argentata glue contained the protein products of four genes that didn't appear in A. trifasciata glue. These extra proteins and a more balanced ratio of AgSp1 and AgSp2 proteins may explain both the greater toughness of this glue and its lower capacity for water absorption. "Despite the dramatic differences in material properties, the two species share most of their protein components," said Opell. "The sequences of these proteins are also similar between species, but the relative abundance of individual proteins differs. Modifying the ratios of proteins is likely a rapid mechanism to adjust material properties of biological glues." "This study only examined two species, so our proposed relationships between proteins and material properties are limited," cautioned Ayoub. "However, we are in the process of documenting protein components and material properties of a diverse set of species, which will allow more power to detect the mechanisms of how proteins give rise to material properties." More information: Orb weaver aggregate glue protein composition as a mechanism for rapid evolution of material properties, Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution (2023). DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2023.1099481 Journal information: Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution Provided by Frontiers Citation: Orb weaver spider glue properties evolve faster than their glue genes, scientists find (2023, April 18) retrieved 19 April 2023 from https://phys.org/news/ 2023-04-orb-weaver-spider-properties-evolve.html This document is subject to copyright. Apart from any fair dealing for the purpose of private study or research, no part may be reproduced without the written permission. The content is provided for information purposes only. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Explore further Scientists stick to spider silk for biodegradable alternative to traditional glue --------------------------------------------------------------------- 1530 shares * Facebook * Twitter * Email Feedback to editors [INS::INS] * Featured * Last Comments * Popular Broadening the scope of carbonyl olefination reactions using a new electrophotocatalytic approach 6 hours ago 0 New model describes the actions that need to be taken by a person riding a swing 7 hours ago 0 Marine biologists use drones to affix suction cup tags to whales to prevent upsetting them 7 hours ago 0 Ancient DNA reveals commercial viticulture in Byzantine and Early Islamic settlements 7 hours ago 0 Indian astronomers investigate open cluster NGC 1027 9 hours ago 0 --------------------------------------------------------------------- [gif] Embracing variations: Physicists first to analyze noise in Lambda-type quantum memory 2 hours ago [gif] Ancient necropolis unearthed next to busy Paris train station 3 hours ago [gif] New blue light technique could enable advances in understanding nanoscale technologies 3 hours ago [gif] Particle trio exceeds expectations at Large Hadron Collider 4 hours ago [gif] Rock, paper, scissors: Searching for stronger nonlocality using quantum computers 4 hours ago [gif] Time-varying orbital angular momentum generated by a metasurface 4 hours ago [gif] Intelligent membranes with memories for next-generation smart filters 4 hours ago [gif] X-ray analysis sheds new light on prehistoric predator's last meal 4 hours ago [gif] Database shows the diversity of the world's languages 5 hours ago [gif] Massive Caribbean sea urchin die-off caused by a protozoan parasite: Study 5 hours ago [INS::INS] * Related Stories [gif] Scientists stick to spider silk for biodegradable alternative to traditional glue Jul 20, 2020 [gif] Spider glue turns moths' defenses against them Jan 29, 2020 [gif] Research on spider glue resolves sticky problem Jun 5, 2018 [gif] Scientists create novel 'liquid wire' material inspired by spiders' capture silk May 16, 2016 [gif] New Zealand glowworms' sticky 'fishing lines' use moist, urea droplets to trap prey Dec 14, 2016 [gif] Re-spun silkworm silk is 70% stronger than spider silk Oct 6, 2022 * Recommended for you [gif] Massive Caribbean sea urchin die-off caused by a protozoan parasite: Study 5 hours ago [gif] Marine biologists use drones to affix suction cup tags to whales to prevent upsetting them 7 hours ago [gif] New legs on millipede Niponia nodulosa appear before molting, not just after 7 hours ago [gif] Bats' high-risk, high-gain hunting tactics increase prey profitability Apr 18, 2023 [gif] Large animals travel more slowly because they can't keep cool, finds study Apr 18, 2023 [gif] Paleobiologists reveal diverse swimming techniques of ancient reptiles Apr 18, 2023 Load comments (0) Let us know if there is a problem with our content Use this form if you have come across a typo, inaccuracy or would like to send an edit request for the content on this page. For general inquiries, please use our contact form. For general feedback, use the public comments section below (please adhere to guidelines). Please select the most appropriate category to facilitate processing of your request [-- please select one -- ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] Your message to the editors [ ] Your email (only if you want to be contacted back) [ ] Send Feedback Thank you for taking time to provide your feedback to the editors. Your feedback is important to us. However, we do not guarantee individual replies due to the high volume of messages. E-mail the story Orb weaver spider glue properties evolve faster than their glue genes, scientists find Your friend's email [ ] Your email [ ] [ ] I would like to subscribe to Science X Newsletter. Learn more Your name [ ] Note Your email address is used only to let the recipient know who sent the email. Neither your address nor the recipient's address will be used for any other purpose. The information you enter will appear in your e-mail message and is not retained by Phys.org in any form. [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] Your message [ ] Send Newsletter sign up Get weekly and/or daily updates delivered to your inbox. You can unsubscribe at any time and we'll never share your details to third parties. [ ] Subscribe More information Privacy policy Medical Xpress Medical Xpress Medical research advances and health news Tech Xplore Tech Xplore The latest engineering, electronics and technology advances Science X Science X The most comprehensive sci-tech news coverage on the web Newsletters [ ] Subscribe Science X Daily and the Weekly Email Newsletter are free features that allow you to receive your favorite sci-tech news updates in your email inbox Follow us * * * * * Top * Home * Search * Mobile version * Help * FAQ * About * Contact * Science X Account * Sponsored Account * Archive * News wire * Android app * iOS app * RSS feeds * Push notification (c) Phys.org 2003 - 2023 powered by Science X Network Privacy policy Terms of use Your Privacy This site uses cookies to assist with navigation, analyse your use of our services, collect data for ads personalisation and provide content from third parties. By using our site, you acknowledge that you have read and understand our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. Ok Cookie options E-mail newsletter [ ] Subscribe Follow us * * * * It appears that you are currently using Ad Blocking software. What are the consequences? x Quantcast