Unraveling the mechanical properties of composite silk threads spun by cribellate orb-weaving spiders.

摘要: Orb-web weaving spiders depend upon the mechanical performance of capture threads to absorb energy flying prey. Most orb-weavers spin wet with core fibers flagelliform silk. These are extremely compliant and extensible due folding their constituent proteins into molecular nanosprings hydration by a surrounding coating aqueous glue. In contrast, other use cribellate threads, which composite structures consisting pseudoflagelliform silk surrounded matrix fine dry cribellar fibrils. Based on phylogenetic evidence, predate viscid threads. To better characterize how fibrils function, we investigated for three genera (Deinopis, Hyptiotes Uloborus). taxa very diverse web architectures, ranging from complete orbs evolutionarily reduced triangle webs cast nets. We found that these were stiffer stronger, but also less extensible, than However, achieved overall high extensibilities because contributed substantially tensile long after ruptured. case Deinopis up 90% total work performed could be attributed findings yield insight evolutionary transition