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Tsiareshyna M, Wang TH, Lin YS, Piorkowski D, Huang SYT, Huang YL, Chao WT, Chang YJ, Liao CP, Wang PH, Tso IM. Bacteria inhabiting spider webs enhance host silk extensibility. Sci Rep 2024; 14:11011. [PMID: 38744937 PMCID: PMC11093983 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-61723-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2023] [Accepted: 05/08/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Spider silk is a promising material with great potential in biomedical applications due to its incredible mechanical properties and resistance to degradation of commercially available bacterial strains. However, little is known about the bacterial communities that may inhabit spider webs and how these microorganisms interact with spider silk. In this study, we exposed two exopolysaccharide-secreting bacteria, isolated from webs of an orb spider, to major ampullate (MA) silk from host spiders. The naturally occurring lipid and glycoprotein surface layers of MA silk were experimentally removed to further probe the interaction between bacteria and silk. Extensibility of major ampullate silk produced by Triconephila clavata that was exposed to either Microbacterium sp. or Novosphigobium sp. was significantly higher than that of silk that was not exposed to bacteria (differed by 58.7%). This strain-enhancing effect was not observed when the lipid and glycoprotein surface layers of MA silks were removed. The presence of exopolysaccharides was detected through NMR from MA silks exposed to these two bacteria but not from those without exposure. Here we report for the first time that exopolysaccharide-secreting bacteria inhabiting spider webs can enhance extensibility of host MA silks and silk surface layers play a vital role in mediating such effects.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Te-Hsin Wang
- Department of Life Science, Tunghai University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Ying-Sheng Lin
- Department of Chemistry, Tunghai University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | | | - Sammi Yen-Ting Huang
- Department of Life Science, Tunghai University, Taichung, Taiwan
- Taiwan International Graduate Program, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Lun Huang
- Department of Life Science, Tunghai University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Wei-Ting Chao
- Department of Life Science, Tunghai University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Yuan Jay Chang
- Department of Chemistry, Tunghai University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Chen-Pan Liao
- Department of Life Science, Tunghai University, Taichung, Taiwan
- Department of Biology, National Museum of Natural Science, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Pi-Han Wang
- Department of Life Science, Tunghai University, Taichung, Taiwan.
- Center for Ecology and Environment, Tunghai University, Taichung, Taiwan.
| | - I-Min Tso
- Department of Life Science, Tunghai University, Taichung, Taiwan.
- Center for Ecology and Environment, Tunghai University, Taichung, Taiwan.
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Baumgart L, Schaa EM, Menzel F, Joel AC. Change of mechanical characteristics in spider silk capture threads after contact with prey. Acta Biomater 2022; 153:355-363. [PMID: 36167237 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2022.09.056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2022] [Revised: 09/20/2022] [Accepted: 09/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Most spiders rely on specialized capture threads to subdue prey. Cribellate spiders use capture threads, whose adhesion is based on thousands of nanofibers instead of specialized glue. The nanofibers adhere due to van der Waals and hygroscopic forces, but the adhesion is strengthened by an interaction with the cuticular hydrocarbons (CHCs) covering almost all insects. The interaction between CHCs and cribellate threads becomes visible through migration of the CHCs into the thread even far beyond the point of contact. In this study, we were able to show that the migrated CHCs not only influence adhesion but also change the mechanical characteristics of the thread. While adhesion, extensibility and total energy decreased in threads treated with CHCs from different insects, we observed an increasing force required to break threads. Such mechanical changes could be beneficial for the spider: Upon the first impact of the insect in the web, it is important to absorb all the energy without breaking. Afterwards, a reduction in extensibility could cause the insect to stay closer to the web and thus become additionally entangled in neighboring threads. An increased tensile force would additionally ensure that for insects already in the web, it is even harder to free themselves. Taken together, all these changes make it unlikely that cribellate spiders reuse their capture threads, if not reacting rapidly and removing the prey insect before the CHCs can spread across the thread. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Cribellate spiders use capture threads that, unlike other spiders, consist of nanofibers and do not rely glue. Instead, prey adheres mainly because their surface compounds, so-called cuticular hydrocarbons (CHCs), interact with the thread, this way generating strong adhesion forces. Previous studies on biomechanics and adhesion of cribellate threads only dealt with artificial surfaces, neglecting any interaction with surface compounds. This study examines the dramatical mechanical changes of a cribellate thread after interaction with prey CHCs, showing modifications of the thread's extensibility, tensile force and total energy. Our results highlight the importance of studying mechanical properties of silk not only in an artificial context, but also in real life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucas Baumgart
- Institute of Zoology, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany.
| | - Eva-Marie Schaa
- Institute of Zoology, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Florian Menzel
- Institute of Organismic and Molecular Evolution, Johannes Gutenberg-University, Mainz, Germany
| | - Anna-Christin Joel
- Institute of Zoology, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany; Institute of Organismic and Molecular Evolution, Johannes Gutenberg-University, Mainz, Germany.
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Davies MS, Hesselberg T. The Use of Tuning Forks for Studying Behavioural Responses in Orb Web Spiders. INSECTS 2022; 13:insects13040370. [PMID: 35447812 PMCID: PMC9027978 DOI: 10.3390/insects13040370] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2022] [Revised: 03/22/2022] [Accepted: 04/06/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
Simple Summary Spiders are common predators found in almost every type of environment, and are used as model organisms in studies ranging from communication and signalling to biochemical studies on their silk. Orb spiders are particularly interesting, as their web provides a cost-effective way to obtain information on their foraging behaviour. However, studies on short-term behaviours including prey capture and escape behaviours are rare and usually take place in artificial settings, such as laboratories. In this study, we tested a simple methodology using tuning forks that can be used consistently and reliably in the field. The two tuning forks are capable of producing attack (440 Hz) and escape (256 Hz) responses from the spiders. We also used a metal wire as a mechanical stimulus for comparison, which as predicted, was less reliable. We demonstrate the usefulness of the methodology by quantitatively investigating how the size of the spider and the size of its web affect predatory and escape response rates in the autumn spider, although no significant effects of either were found. However, our results confirm the ease by which this simple method can be used to conduct behavioural studies of orb spiders in the wild. Abstract Spiders and their webs are often used as model organisms to study a wide range of behaviours. However, these behavioural studies are often carried out in the laboratory, and the few field studies usually result in large amounts of video footage and subsequent labour-intensive data analysis. Thus, we aimed to devise a cost- and time-effective method for studying the behaviour of spiders in the field, using the now almost forgotten method of stimulating webs with tuning forks. Our study looked at the viability of using 256 Hz and 440 Hz tuning forks to stimulate, anti-predatory and predatory responses in the orb web spider Metellina segmentata, respectively. To assess the consistency of the behaviours produced, we compared these to direct mechanical stimulation with a metal wire. The results suggest that the tuning forks produce relatively consistent behaviours within and between two years in contrast to the metal wire. We furthermore found no significant effects of spider length or web area on spider reaction times. However, we found significant differences in reaction times between escape and prey capture behaviours, and between tuning forks and the wire. Thus, we demonstrated the potential of tuning forks to rapidly generate quantitative data in a field setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mollie S. Davies
- Department of Biological and Medical Sciences, Headington Campus, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford OX3 0BP, UK;
| | - Thomas Hesselberg
- Department of Biological and Medical Sciences, Headington Campus, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford OX3 0BP, UK;
- Department of Zoology, University of Oxford, 11 Mansfield Road, Oxford OX1 3SZ, UK
- Correspondence:
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Hawes TC. A spider that decorates its web perpendicular to the web plane. TROPICAL ZOOLOGY 2019. [DOI: 10.1080/03946975.2019.1681851] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Timothy C. Hawes
- Akarn Teeranee, Soi 35, Pahonyothin Road, Khet Jatujak, Bangkok, Thailand
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Fitzgerald MR, Ives AR. Conspecific Attraction Drives Intraspecific Aggregations byNephila clavipesSpiders. Ethology 2016. [DOI: 10.1111/eth.12577] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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Top down and bottom up selection drives variations in frequency and form of a visual signal. Sci Rep 2015; 5:9543. [PMID: 25828030 PMCID: PMC4406052 DOI: 10.1038/srep09543] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2014] [Accepted: 02/18/2015] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The frequency and form of visual signals can be shaped by selection from predators, prey or both. When a signal simultaneously attracts predators and prey, selection may favour a strategy that minimizes risks while attracting prey. Accordingly, varying the frequency and form of the silken decorations added to their web may be a way that Argiope spiders minimize predation while attracting prey. Nonetheless, the role of extraneous factors renders the influences of top down and bottom up selection on decoration frequency and form variation difficult to discern. Here we used dummy spiders and decorations to simulate four possible strategies that the spider Argiope aemula may choose and measured the prey and predator attraction consequences for each in the field. The strategy of decorating at a high frequency with a variable form attracted the most prey, while that of decorating at a high frequency with a fixed form attracted the most predators. These results suggest that mitigating the cost of attracting predators while maintaining prey attraction drives the use of variation in decoration form by many Argiope spp. when decorating frequently. Our study highlights the importance of considering top-down and bottom up selection pressure when devising evolutionary ecology experiments.
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Liu MH, Blamires SJ, Liao CP, Tso IM. Evidence of bird dropping masquerading by a spider to avoid predators. Sci Rep 2014; 4:5058. [PMID: 24875182 PMCID: PMC4038025 DOI: 10.1038/srep05058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2014] [Accepted: 05/06/2014] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Masquerading comes at various costs and benefits. The principal benefit being the avoidance of predators. The orb-web spider Cyclosa ginnaga has a silver body and adds a white discoid-shaped silk decoration to its web. The size, shape and colour of C. ginnaga's body resemble, when viewed by the human eye against its decoration, a bird dropping. We therefore hypothesized that their body colouration might combine with its web decoration to form a bird dropping masquerade to protect it from predators. We measured the spectral reflectance of: (i) the spider's body, (ii) the web decoration, and (iii) bird droppings, in the field against a natural background and found that the colour of the spider bodies and decorations were indistinguishable from each other and from bird droppings when viewed by hymentopteran predators. We monitored the predatory attacks on C. ginnaga when the spider's body and/or its decorations were blackened and found that predator attack probabilities were greater when only the decorations were blackened. Accordingly, we concluded that C. ginnaga's decoration and body colouration forms a bird dropping masquerade, which reduces its probability of predation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min-Hui Liu
- 1] Department of Life Science, National Chung-Hsin University, Taichung 40227, Taiwan [2] Taiwan Endemic Species Research Institute, Nantou 55244, Taiwan
| | - Sean J Blamires
- 1] Department of Life Science, Tunghai University, Taichung 40704, Taiwan [2]
| | - Chen-Pan Liao
- Department of Life Science, Tunghai University, Taichung 40704, Taiwan
| | - I-Min Tso
- 1] Department of Life Science, National Chung-Hsin University, Taichung 40227, Taiwan [2] Department of Life Science, Tunghai University, Taichung 40704, Taiwan
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Beponis LM, O'Dea RE, Ohl VA, Ryan MP, Backwell PRY, Binning SA, Haff TM. Cleaning Up After a Meal: The Consequences of Prey Disposal for Pit-Building Antlion Larvae. Ethology 2014. [DOI: 10.1111/eth.12257] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Lucy M. Beponis
- Division of Evolution, Ecology and Genetics; Research School of Biology; The Australian National University; Canberra ACT Australia
| | - Rose E. O'Dea
- Division of Evolution, Ecology and Genetics; Research School of Biology; The Australian National University; Canberra ACT Australia
| | - Valérie-Anne Ohl
- Division of Evolution, Ecology and Genetics; Research School of Biology; The Australian National University; Canberra ACT Australia
| | - Mitchell P. Ryan
- Division of Evolution, Ecology and Genetics; Research School of Biology; The Australian National University; Canberra ACT Australia
| | - Patricia R. Y. Backwell
- Division of Evolution, Ecology and Genetics; Research School of Biology; The Australian National University; Canberra ACT Australia
| | - Sandra A. Binning
- Division of Evolution, Ecology and Genetics; Research School of Biology; The Australian National University; Canberra ACT Australia
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies; The Australian National University; Canberra ACT Australia
| | - Tonya M. Haff
- Division of Evolution, Ecology and Genetics; Research School of Biology; The Australian National University; Canberra ACT Australia
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Blamires SJ, Wu CC, Wu CL, Sheu HS, Tso IM. Uncovering Spider Silk Nanocrystalline Variations That Facilitate Wind-Induced Mechanical Property Changes. Biomacromolecules 2013; 14:3484-90. [DOI: 10.1021/bm400803z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Sean J. Blamires
- Department
of Life Science, Tunghai University, Taichung 40704, Taiwan
| | - Chao-Chia Wu
- Department
of Life Science, National Chung-Hsing University, Taichung 40227, Taiwan
| | - Chung-Lin Wu
- Center
for Measurement Standards, Industrial Technology Research Institute, Hsinchu 30011, Taiwan
| | - Hwo-Shuenn Sheu
- National Synchrotron Radiation Research Center, Hsinchu 300, Taiwan
| | - I-Min Tso
- Department
of Life Science, Tunghai University, Taichung 40704, Taiwan
- Department
of Life Science, National Chung-Hsing University, Taichung 40227, Taiwan
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Blamires SJ, Hou C, Chen LF, Liao CP, Tso IM. Three-dimensional barricading of a predatory trap reduces predation and enhances prey capture. Behav Ecol Sociobiol 2013. [DOI: 10.1007/s00265-013-1493-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
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11
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Nutrient-mediated architectural plasticity of a predatory trap. PLoS One 2013; 8:e54558. [PMID: 23349928 PMCID: PMC3551802 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0054558] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2012] [Accepted: 12/14/2012] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Nutrients such as protein may be actively sought by foraging animals. Many predators exhibit foraging plasticity, but how their foraging strategies are affected when faced with nutrient deprivation is largely unknown. In spiders, the assimilation of protein into silk may be in conflict with somatic processes so we predicted web building to be affected under protein depletion. Methodology/Principal Findings To assess the influence of protein intake on foraging plasticity we fed the orb-web spiders Argiope aemula and Cyclosa mulmeinensis high, low or no protein solutions over 10 days and allowed them to build webs. We compared post-feeding web architectural components and major ampullate (MA) silk amino acid compositions. We found that the number of radii in webs increased in both species when fed high protein solutions. Mesh size increased in A. aemula when fed a high protein solution. MA silk proline and alanine compositions varied in each species with contrasting variations in alanine between the two species. Glycine compositions only varied in C. mulmeinensis silk. No spiders significantly lost or gained mass on any feeding treatment, so they did not sacrifice somatic maintenance for amino acid investment in silk. Conclusions/Significance Our results show that the amount of protein taken in significantly affects the foraging decisions of trap-building predators, such as orb web spiders. Nevertheless, the subtle differences found between species in the association between protein intake, the amino acids invested in silk and web architectural plasticity show that the influence of protein deprivation on specific foraging strategies differs among different spiders.
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Wu CC, Blamires SJ, Wu CL, Tso IM. Wind induces variations in spider web geometry and sticky spiral droplet volume. J Exp Biol 2013; 216:3342-9. [DOI: 10.1242/jeb.083618] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Summary
Trap building by animals is rare because it comes at substantial costs. Using materials with properties that vary across environments maintains trap functionality. The sticky spiral silks of spider orb webs are used to catch flying prey. Web geometry, accompanied by compensatory changes in silk properties, may change across environments to sustain web functionality. We exposed the spider Cyclosa mulmeinensis to wind to test if wind-induced changes in web geometry are accompanied by changes in aggregate silk droplet morphology, axial thread width or spiral stickiness. We compared: (i) web catching area, (ii) length of total silks, (iii) mesh height, (iv) number of radii, (v) aggregate droplet morphology and (vi) spiral thread stickiness, between webs made by spiders exposed to wind with those not exposed to wind. We interpreted co-variation in droplet morphology or spiral stickiness with web capture area, mesh height or spiral length as the silk properties functionally compensating for changes in web geometry to reduce wind drag. Wind-exposed C. mulmeinensis built webs with smaller capture areas, shorter capture spiral lengths, and more widely spaced capture spirals, resulting in the expenditure of less silk. Individuals that were exposed to wind also deposited larger droplets of sticky silk but the stickiness of the spiral threads remained unchanged. The larger droplets may be a product of greater investment in water, or low molecular weight compounds facilitating atmospheric water uptake. Either way droplet dehydration in wind is likely to be minimized.
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BLAMIRES SEANJ, WU CHUNLIN, BLACKLEDGE TODDA, TSO IMIN. Environmentally induced post-spin property changes in spider silks: influences of web type, spidroin composition and ecology. Biol J Linn Soc Lond 2012. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1095-8312.2012.01884.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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14
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Blamires SJ, Wu CL, Tso IM. Variation in protein intake induces variation in spider silk expression. PLoS One 2012; 7:e31626. [PMID: 22363691 PMCID: PMC3282770 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0031626] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2011] [Accepted: 01/16/2012] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND It is energetically expensive to synthesize certain amino acids. The proteins (spidroins) of spider major ampullate (MA) silk, MaSp1 and MaSp2, differ in amino acid composition. Glutamine and proline are prevalent in MaSp2 and are expensive to synthesize. Since most orb web spiders express high proline silk they might preferentially attain the amino acids needed for silk from food and shift toward expressing more MaSp1 in their MA silk when starved. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS We fed three spiders; Argiope aetherea, Cyrtophora moluccensis and Leucauge blanda, high protein, low protein or no protein solutions. A. aetherea and L. blanda MA silks are high in proline, while C. moluccesnsis MA silks are low in proline. After 10 days of feeding we determined the amino acid compositions and mechanical properties of each species' MA silk and compared them between species and treatments with pre-treatment samples, accounting for ancestry. We found that the proline and glutamine of A. aetherea and L. blanda silks were affected by protein intake; significantly decreasing under the low and no protein intake treatments. Glutmaine composition in C. moluccensis silk was likewise affected by protein intake. However, the composition of proline in their MA silk was not significantly affected by protein intake. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest that protein limitation induces a shift toward different silk proteins with lower glutamine and/or proline content. Contradictions to the MaSp model lie in the findings that C. moluccensis MA silks did not experience a significant reduction in proline and A. aetherea did not experience a significant reduction in serine on low/no protein. The mechanical properties of the silks could not be explained by a MaSp1 expressional shift. Factors other than MaSp expression, such as the expression of spidroin-like orthologues, may impact on silk amino acid composition and spinning and glandular processes may impact mechanics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sean J. Blamires
- Department of Life Science, Tunghai University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Chun-Lin Wu
- Center for Measurement Standards, Industrial Technology Research Institute, Hsinchu, Taiwan
| | - I-Min Tso
- Department of Life Science, Tunghai University, Taichung, Taiwan
- Department of Life Science, National Chung-Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan
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15
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Wind speed affects prey-catching behaviour in an orb web spider. Naturwissenschaften 2011; 98:1063-7. [DOI: 10.1007/s00114-011-0854-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2011] [Revised: 09/28/2011] [Accepted: 10/03/2011] [Indexed: 10/16/2022]
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16
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Trap barricading and decorating by a well-armored sit-and-wait predator: extra protection or prey attraction? Behav Ecol Sociobiol 2011. [DOI: 10.1007/s00265-011-1245-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
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