Evolution of silk anchor structure as the joint effect of spinning behavior and spinneret morphology.

摘要: Spider web anchors are attachment structures composed of the bi-phasic glue-fiber secretion from piriform silk glands. The mechanical performance strongly correlates with structural assembly lines, which makes spider an ideal system to study biomechanical function extended phenotypes and its evolution. It was proposed that anchor guided evolution architectures, but fine-structural variation whether rather determined by changes shape spinneret tip or in innate spinning choreography remained unresolved. Here, we comparatively studied micro-structure across tree life, set it relation morphology, behavior ecology spider. We identified a number apomorphies structure may positively affect function: 1. bundled dragline, 2. dragline envelope, 3. suspension ('bridge'). All these characters were apomorphic evolved repeatedly multiple lineages, supporting notion they adaptive. occurrence features can be explained mobility tip, both. Spinneret shapes generally varied less than their fine-tuned movements, indicating construction play more important role assembly. However, morphology apparatus is also major constraint choreography. These results highlight as proximate ultimate causes phenotype Further, this research provides roadmap for future bioprospecting design high-performance instant line anchors.