1
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Ratz T, Bourdiol J, Moreau S, Vadnais C, Montiglio PO. The evolution of prey-attraction strategies in spiders: the interplay between foraging and predator avoidance. Oecologia 2023; 202:669-684. [PMID: 37540236 PMCID: PMC10475007 DOI: 10.1007/s00442-023-05427-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2023] [Accepted: 07/21/2023] [Indexed: 08/05/2023]
Abstract
Lures and other adaptations for prey attraction are particularly interesting from an evolutionary viewpoint because they are characterized by correlational selection, involve multicomponent signals, and likely reflect a compromise between maximizing conspicuousness to prey while avoiding drawing attention of enemies and predators. Therefore, investigating the evolution of lure and prey-attraction adaptations can help us understand a larger set of traits governing interactions among organisms. We review the literature focusing on spiders (Araneae), which is the most diverse animal group using prey attraction and show that the evolution of prey-attraction strategies must be driven by a trade-off between foraging and predator avoidance. This is because increasing detectability by potential prey often also results in increased detectability by predators higher in the food chain. Thus increasing prey attraction must come at a cost of increased risk of predation. Given this trade-off, we should expect lures and other prey-attraction traits to remain suboptimal despite a potential to reach an optimal level of attractiveness. We argue that the presence of this trade-off and the multivariate nature of prey-attraction traits are two important mechanisms that might maintain the diversity of prey-attraction strategies within and between species. Overall, we aim to stimulate research on this topic and progress in our general understanding of the diversity of predator and prey interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tom Ratz
- Behavioural Ecology, Department of Biology, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität in Munich, 82152, Planegg-Martinsried, Germany.
- Département des Sciences Biologiques, Université du Québec à Montréal, CP-8888 Succursale Centre-ville, Montréal, QC, H3C 3P, Canada.
| | - Julien Bourdiol
- Département des Sciences Biologiques, Université du Québec à Montréal, CP-8888 Succursale Centre-ville, Montréal, QC, H3C 3P, Canada
| | - Stéphanie Moreau
- Département des Sciences Biologiques, Université du Québec à Montréal, CP-8888 Succursale Centre-ville, Montréal, QC, H3C 3P, Canada
| | - Catherine Vadnais
- Département des Sciences Biologiques, Université du Québec à Montréal, CP-8888 Succursale Centre-ville, Montréal, QC, H3C 3P, Canada
| | - Pierre-Olivier Montiglio
- Département des Sciences Biologiques, Université du Québec à Montréal, CP-8888 Succursale Centre-ville, Montréal, QC, H3C 3P, Canada
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2
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Sun Y, Lee SM, Ku BJ, Moon MJ. Fine structural aspects on the web glue production in the golden orb-web spider Trichonephila clavata. Anim Cells Syst (Seoul) 2023; 27:10-18. [PMID: 36733495 PMCID: PMC9888464 DOI: 10.1080/19768354.2023.2168753] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
The water-soluble glue substance of the capture threads in Trichonephila clavata is solely produced from two pairs of aggregate silk glands. During the web glue production, secretory vesicles were synthesized via the extensive rough endoplasmic reticulum of epithelial cells. Unlike the clearly described fibrous web production in spiders, the process of aqueous web glue production appears to involve either a condensing or a packaging step by the Golgi complex. In particular, the fine structure of secretory vesicles varies from cell to cell and may represent the secretory cycle. The electron-dense multivesicular bodies were clearly visible as discrete droplets, and the mature secretory product in the glandular epithelium appeared as a spherical vacuole grown by fusion with surrounding small vesicles. Our fine structural observation reveals that the secretion occurs when the release of secreted material involves the loss of part of the cytoplasm. The bleb along the luminal surface of the secretory cells and membrane-bound extracellular vesicles which pinched off from the cell suggests that the secretory product is released by the mechanism of apocrine secretion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Sun
- Department of Biological Sciences, Dankook University, Cheonan, Korea
| | - Seung-Min Lee
- Department of Biological Sciences, Dankook University, Cheonan, Korea
| | - Bon-Jin Ku
- Department of Biological Sciences, Dankook University, Cheonan, Korea
| | - Myung-Jin Moon
- Department of Biological Sciences, Dankook University, Cheonan, Korea, Myung-Jin Moon Department of Biological Sciences, Dankook University, Cheonan31116, Korea
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3
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Gould J, García LF, Valdez JW. Water webbing: Long‐jawed spider (Araneae, Tetragnathidae) produces webs that touch the surface of ephemeral waterbodies. Ethology 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/eth.13355] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- John Gould
- School of Environmental and Life Sciences University of Newcastle Callaghan New South Wales Australia
| | - Luis Fernando García
- Centro Universitario Regional del Este Universidad de la República Treinta y Tres Uruguay
| | - Jose. W. Valdez
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle‐Jena‐Leipzig Leipzig Germany
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4
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Henneken J, Blamires SJ, Goodger JQ, Jones TM, Elgar MA. Population level variation in silk chemistry but not web architecture in a widely distributed orb web spider. Biol J Linn Soc Lond 2022. [DOI: 10.1093/biolinnean/blac089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Spider webs are iconic examples of extended phenotypes that are remarkably plastic across different environments. Orb webs are not only effective traps for capturing prey, but can also provide information to potential mates and, in some cases, potential predators and prey through silk-based chemicals. As with regular phenotypic traits, variability in the properties of spider webs is thought to be mediated by a combination of genetic and environmental effects. Here, we examined variation in several key features of the webs of the orb-weaving spider Argiope keyserlingi across five geographically disparate populations. We documented variation in web architecture and chemical properties of webs collected directly from the field. We then probed the potential for the underlying environmental driver of local insect abundance to explain this variation, by analysing the properties of orb webs constructed by the spiders from these different populations, but under identical laboratory conditions. We found no evidence of variation across populations in the architecture of webs constructed in the laboratory, despite the large geographic distances. Nonetheless, we discovered between population variation in the composition of chemicals found on the surface of silk and in the taxonomic distribution of available prey. Furthermore, there was a positive correlation between the quantity of nitrogenous compounds in web silks and female body condition. When combined, these findings suggest that environmental mechanisms can drive variation in web traits across spider populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Henneken
- School of BioSciences, The University of Melbourne , VIC 3010 , Australia
- Agriculture Victoria Research, AgriBio Centre , 5 Ring Road Bundoora, VIC 3083 , Australia
| | - Sean J Blamires
- Evolution and Ecology Research Centre, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, The University of New South Wales , Sydney, NSW 2052 , Australia
- NMR Facility, Mark Wainwright Analytical Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052 , Australia
| | - Jason Qd Goodger
- School of Ecosystem and Forest Sciences, The University of Melbourne, VIC 3010 , Australia
| | - Therésa M Jones
- School of BioSciences, The University of Melbourne , VIC 3010 , Australia
| | - Mark A Elgar
- School of BioSciences, The University of Melbourne , VIC 3010 , Australia
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5
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Alicea-Serrano AM, Onyak A, Dhinojwala A, Blackledge TA. Robust performance of spider viscid silk on hairy and smooth insect substrates. Integr Comp Biol 2021; 61:1432-1439. [PMID: 33856489 DOI: 10.1093/icb/icab020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Spider viscid silk adheres to insects in orb webs and is a "smart-adhesive" that quickly changes droplet size, viscosity, and adhesiveness in response to atmospheric humidity. Different species of spiders "tune" water uptake to match the humidity of their foraging environments, achieving a similar "universal" viscosity that optimizes tradeoffs in spreading versus cohesive bulk energy needed to enhance adhesion. Too much water lowers viscosity so that the glue spreads well, but cohesive failure occurs easily, generating poor adhesion. However, the optimal viscosity model of adhesion is based on experiments using smooth glass. Here we test the hypothesis that a less viscous, "over-lubricated" glue, which shows poor adhesion on smooth glass, will be stickier on hairy insects because of its greater ability to spread across three-dimensional rough surfaces. We ran adhesion tests of the furrow spider (Larinioides cornutus (Clerck, 1757)) viscid silk on honey bee (Apis mellifera) thorax, with and without hairs, in either high or medium humidity. Our results show that "over-lubricated" glue increases adhesion on hairy surfaces, performing equally as well as an optimally viscous glue.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ariel Onyak
- Department of Biology, The University of Akron, Ohio
| | - Ali Dhinojwala
- School of Polymer Science and Polymer Engineering, The University of Akron, Ohio
| | - Todd A Blackledge
- Department of Biology and Integrated Bioscience, The University of Akron, Ohio
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6
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Fujiwara M, Kono N, Hirayama A, Malay AD, Nakamura H, Ohtoshi R, Numata K, Tomita M, Arakawa K. Xanthurenic Acid Is the Main Pigment of Trichonephila clavata Gold Dragline Silk. Biomolecules 2021; 11:563. [PMID: 33921320 PMCID: PMC8070366 DOI: 10.3390/biom11040563] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2021] [Revised: 04/06/2021] [Accepted: 04/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Spider silk is a natural fiber with remarkable strength, toughness, and elasticity that is attracting attention as a biomaterial of the future. Golden orb-weaving spiders (Trichonephila clavata) construct large, strong webs using golden threads. To characterize the pigment of golden T. clavata dragline silk, we used liquid chromatography and mass spectrometric analysis. We found that the major pigment in the golden dragline silk of T. clavata was xanthurenic acid. To investigate the possible function of the pigment, we tested the effect of xanthurenic acid on bacterial growth using gram-negative Escherichia coli and gram-positive Bacillus subtilis. We found that xanthurenic acid had a slight antibacterial effect. Furthermore, to investigate the UV tolerance of the T. clavata threads bleached of their golden color, we conducted tensile deformation tests and scanning electron microscope observations. However, in these experiments, no significant effect was observed. We therefore speculate that golden orb-weaving spiders use the pigment for other purposes, such as to attract their prey in the sunlight.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masayuki Fujiwara
- Institute for Advanced Biosciences, Keio University, Nihonkoku 403-1, Daihoji, Tsuruoka, Yamagata 997-0013, Japan; (M.F.); (N.K.); (A.H.); (M.T.)
- Systems Biology Program, Graduate School of Media and Governance, Keio University, Endo 5322, Fujisawa, Kanagawa 252-0882, Japan
| | - Nobuaki Kono
- Institute for Advanced Biosciences, Keio University, Nihonkoku 403-1, Daihoji, Tsuruoka, Yamagata 997-0013, Japan; (M.F.); (N.K.); (A.H.); (M.T.)
- Systems Biology Program, Graduate School of Media and Governance, Keio University, Endo 5322, Fujisawa, Kanagawa 252-0882, Japan
| | - Akiyoshi Hirayama
- Institute for Advanced Biosciences, Keio University, Nihonkoku 403-1, Daihoji, Tsuruoka, Yamagata 997-0013, Japan; (M.F.); (N.K.); (A.H.); (M.T.)
- Systems Biology Program, Graduate School of Media and Governance, Keio University, Endo 5322, Fujisawa, Kanagawa 252-0882, Japan
| | - Ali D. Malay
- Biomacromolecules Research Team: RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science, 2-1 Hirosawa, Wako, Saitama 351-0198, Japan; (A.D.M.); (K.N.)
| | - Hiroyuki Nakamura
- Spiber Inc.: Mizukami 234-1, Kakuganji, Tsuruoka, Yamagata 997-0052, Japan; (H.N.); (R.O.)
| | - Rintaro Ohtoshi
- Spiber Inc.: Mizukami 234-1, Kakuganji, Tsuruoka, Yamagata 997-0052, Japan; (H.N.); (R.O.)
| | - Keiji Numata
- Biomacromolecules Research Team: RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science, 2-1 Hirosawa, Wako, Saitama 351-0198, Japan; (A.D.M.); (K.N.)
| | - Masaru Tomita
- Institute for Advanced Biosciences, Keio University, Nihonkoku 403-1, Daihoji, Tsuruoka, Yamagata 997-0013, Japan; (M.F.); (N.K.); (A.H.); (M.T.)
- Systems Biology Program, Graduate School of Media and Governance, Keio University, Endo 5322, Fujisawa, Kanagawa 252-0882, Japan
- Faculty of Environment and Information Studies, Keio University, Endo 5322, Fujisawa, Kanagawa 252-0882, Japan
| | - Kazuharu Arakawa
- Institute for Advanced Biosciences, Keio University, Nihonkoku 403-1, Daihoji, Tsuruoka, Yamagata 997-0013, Japan; (M.F.); (N.K.); (A.H.); (M.T.)
- Systems Biology Program, Graduate School of Media and Governance, Keio University, Endo 5322, Fujisawa, Kanagawa 252-0882, Japan
- Faculty of Environment and Information Studies, Keio University, Endo 5322, Fujisawa, Kanagawa 252-0882, Japan
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7
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Gould J. Hauling up a hefty meal: Long‐Jawed spider (Araneae, Tetragnathidae) uses silk lines to transport large prey vertically through the air in the absence of a web. Ethology 2021. [DOI: 10.1111/eth.13137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- John Gould
- School of Environmental and Life Sciences University of Newcastle Callaghan NSW Australia
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8
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New structural insights into bacterial sulfoacetaldehyde and taurine metabolism. Biochem J 2020; 477:1367-1371. [PMID: 32322897 DOI: 10.1042/bcj20200079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2020] [Revised: 03/25/2020] [Accepted: 03/27/2020] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
In last year's issue 4 of Biochemical Journal, Zhou et al. (Biochem J. 476, 733-746) kinetically and structurally characterized the reductase IsfD from Klebsiella oxytoca that catalyzes the reversible reduction in sulfoacetaldehyde to the corresponding alcohol isethionate. This is a key step in detoxification of the carbonyl intermediate formed in bacterial nitrogen assimilation from the α-aminoalkanesulfonic acid taurine. In 2019, the work on sulfoacetaldehyde reductase IsfD was the exciting start to a quite remarkable series of articles dealing with structural elucidation of proteins involved in taurine metabolism as well as the discovery of novel degradation pathways in bacteria.
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9
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Moon MJ, Tillinghast EK. Molt-related changes in the major ampullate silk gland of the barn spider Araneus cavaticus. Anim Cells Syst (Seoul) 2020; 24:299-310. [PMID: 33209204 PMCID: PMC7646564 DOI: 10.1080/19768354.2020.1837950] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Spiders molt periodically before reaching full maturity, but several spiders continue to molt after sexual maturity. This post-maturity molting (PMM) behavior has been observed in the barn spider Araneus cavaticus (Araneae: Araneidae) among the orb-web spiders. In this study, we investigated molt-related changes in the ampulla and tail regions of the major ampullate gland during the PMM sequences (intermolt, pre-molt, ecdysis, and post-molt). The results showed that all gland units consist of a monolayer of epithelial cells surrounding a large central lumen, and two types of secretory granules (Type-M and Type-S). During the molting period, most cells showed fine structural modification in their organelles, and conspicuous tissue swelling was detected at the glandular epithelium. Following the molting cycle, the amount of Type-M granules continues to increase in the cell with a corresponding swelling, but Type-S granules gradually disappeared during the process of ecdysis. This suggests that the molt-related changes in spider silk production originates from the periodic production of Type-S secretory granules in the ampulla region. As Type-M granules flow toward the funnel, it is coated with viscous liquid secretion of Type-S granules in order to produce dragline silk fibers. We provide fine structural evidence for Type-S granules of hexagonal crystalline substructures representing glycoprotein substances to maintain high level of water content.
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Affiliation(s)
- Myung-Jin Moon
- Department of Biological Sciences, Dankook University, Cheonan, Korea
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10
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Properties of orb weaving spider glycoprotein glue change during Argiope trifasciata web construction. Sci Rep 2019; 9:20279. [PMID: 31889090 PMCID: PMC6937294 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-56707-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2019] [Accepted: 12/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
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.
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11
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Moon MJ. Fine structure of the aggregate silk nodules in the orb-web spider Nephila clavata. Anim Cells Syst (Seoul) 2018; 22:421-428. [PMID: 30533265 PMCID: PMC6282475 DOI: 10.1080/19768354.2018.1546227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2018] [Revised: 07/24/2018] [Accepted: 09/28/2018] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Among the triad spinning units for capture thread producing system in the orb-web spiders, aqueous gluey substances are produced from two pairs of aggregate silk glands (ASG). Although biochemical analysis of glue substance is produced by way of their passage through the ASG, its structural modifications in the nodular area have been nearly neglected till now. This paper focused on identifying the fine structural characteristics of the aggregate nodules in the golden orb-web spider Nephila clavata using both of light and transmission electron microscopes. The ASG in N. clavata is composed of a multi-lobed secretory region and a thick excretory duct surrounded by large irregular nodules. Histological analysis of the nodules demonstrates that the nodule forming cells have extensive membrane-bound tubular system that is continuous with the surface membrane. In particular, the nodule forming cells contain numerous mitochondria and glycogen particles within their cytoplasms, and they are surrounded by the same sheath of thin connectives. As previously described, each gluey droplet is formed of a central glycoprotein mass surrounded by an aqueous covering components, the nodular organization in N. clavata indicates that the extensive membrane system is thought to have a function for gluey silk production in spider. The results of this study also strengthen the premise that spider glues are made of glycoproteins, and the aggregate nodule functions as a key component for the spider web glue production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Myung-Jin Moon
- Department of Biological Sciences, Dankook University, Cheonan, South Korea
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12
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Diaz C, Tanikawa A, Miyashita T, Amarpuri G, Jain D, Dhinojwala A, Blackledge TA. Supersaturation with water explains the unusual adhesion of aggregate glue in the webs of the moth-specialist spider, Cyrtarachne akirai. ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE 2018; 5:181296. [PMID: 30564415 PMCID: PMC6281915 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.181296] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2018] [Accepted: 10/04/2018] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
Orb webs produced by araneoid spiders depend upon aggregate glue-coated capture threads to retain their prey. Moths are challenging prey for most spiders because their scales detach and contaminate the glue droplets, significantly decreasing adhesion. Cyrtarachne are moth-specialist orb-weaving spiders whose capture threads adhere well to moths. We compare the adhesive properties and chemistry of Cyrtarachne aggregate glue to other orb-weaving spiders to test hypotheses about their structure, chemistry and performance that could explain the strength of Cyrtarachne glue. We show that the unusually large glue droplets on Cyrtarachne capture threads make them approximately 8 times more adhesive on glass substrate than capture threads from typical orb-weaving species, but Cyrtarachne adhesion is similar to that of other species after normalization by glue volume. Glue viscosity reversibly changes over 1000-fold in response to atmospheric humidity, and the adhesive strength of many species of orb spiders is maximized at a viscosity of approximately 105-106 cst where the contributions of spreading and bulk cohesion are optimized. By contrast, viscosity of Cyrtarachne aggregate glue droplets is approximately 1000 times lower at maximum adhesive humidity, likely facilitating rapid spreading across moth scales. Water uptake by glue droplets is controlled, in part, by hygroscopic low molecular weight compounds. NMR showed evidence that Cyrtarachne glue contains a variety of unknown low molecular weight compounds. These compounds may help explain how Cyrtarachne produces such exceptionally large and low viscosity glue droplets, and also why these glue droplets rapidly lose water volume after brief ageing or exposure to even slightly dry (e.g. < 80% RH) conditions, permanently reducing their adhesion. We hypothesize that the combination of large glue droplet size and low viscosity helps Cyrtarachne glue to penetrate the gaps between moth scales.
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Affiliation(s)
- Candido Diaz
- Department of Biology, The University of Akron, Akron, OH 44325, USA
- Author for correspondence: Candido Diaz e-mail:
| | - Akio Tanikawa
- School of Agriculture and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tadashi Miyashita
- School of Agriculture and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Gaurav Amarpuri
- Department of Polymer Science, The University of Akron, Akron, OH 44325, USA
| | - Dharamdeep Jain
- Department of Polymer Science, The University of Akron, Akron, OH 44325, USA
| | - Ali Dhinojwala
- Department of Polymer Science, The University of Akron, Akron, OH 44325, USA
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13
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Ashton NN, Stewart RJ. Aquatic caddisworm silk is solidified by environmental metal ions during the natural fiber-spinning process. FASEB J 2018; 33:572-583. [PMID: 29985645 DOI: 10.1096/fj.201801029r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Aquatic caddisfly larvae (caddisworms) wet-spin fibers to construct composite cases of silk and stone. The silk emerges from labial ducts as a nanofibrous fluid gel, flowing over the stone substrate and making intimate interfacial adhesive contacts before being drawn into tough fibers that rapidly solidify underwater to span gaps in the construction. Divalent metal ions are responsible for the unique mechanical properties of naturally spun silk fibers; however, when and where divalent metal ions are incorporated into the metallofibers and other aspects of the fiber solidification mechanism are poorly understood. To investigate, the elemental composition and secondary structure of silk precursors stored in the silk gland lumen were compared with naturally spun fibers by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy and attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Naturally spun fibers contained near equimolar ratios of Ca2+ to P. In contrast, silk precursors stored in the silk gland lumen contained only traces of Ca2+ and other multivalent metal ions. Ca2+ was also undetectable in anterior lumenal silk using the histochemical Ca2+ indicator, alizarin S red. Addition of Ca2+ to isolated lumenal silk resulted in Ca2+ complexation by H-fibroin phosphoserines (pSs) and a shift in secondary structure from random coils to β-structures, creating infrared spectra in the phosphate and amide I regions nearly equivalent to those found in naturally spun Ca2+-containing silk fibers. Light and electron microscopy within distinct regions of the silk gland suggested that posterior gland silk colloidal complexes transition into a nanofibrous morphology as they pass into the chitin-lined anterior lumen. Altogether, the results suggest that environmental Ca2+ absorbed from natural water triggers silk fiber solidification postdraw by complexing H-fibroin pSs, creating Ca2+-stabilized crystalline β-nanodomains that cross-link and toughen the freshly drawn silk fibers.-Ashton, N. N., Stewart, R. J. Aquatic caddisworm silk is solidified by environmental metal ions during the natural fiber-spinning process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas N Ashton
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
| | - Russell J Stewart
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
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14
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Jain D, Amarpuri G, Fitch J, Blackledge TA, Dhinojwala A. Role of Hygroscopic Low Molecular Mass Compounds in Humidity Responsive Adhesion of Spider’s Capture Silk. Biomacromolecules 2018; 19:3048-3057. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.biomac.8b00602] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Dharamdeep Jain
- Department of Polymer Science, The University of Akron, Akron, Ohio 44325-3909, United States
| | - Gaurav Amarpuri
- Department of Polymer Science, The University of Akron, Akron, Ohio 44325-3909, United States
| | - Jordan Fitch
- Department of Polymer Science, The University of Akron, Akron, Ohio 44325-3909, United States
| | - Todd. A. Blackledge
- Department of Biology, Integrated Bioscience Program, The University of Akron, Akron, Ohio 44325-3908, United States
| | - Ali Dhinojwala
- Department of Polymer Science, The University of Akron, Akron, Ohio 44325-3909, United States
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15
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Opell BD, Clouse ME, Andrews SF. Elastic modulus and toughness of orb spider glycoprotein glue. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0196972. [PMID: 29847578 PMCID: PMC5976159 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0196972] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2017] [Accepted: 04/24/2018] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
An orb web's prey capture thread features tiny glue droplets, each formed of an adhesive glycoprotein core surrounded by an aqueous layer. Small molecules in the aqueous layer confer droplet hygroscopicity and maintain glycoprotein viscoelasticity, causing droplet volume and glycoprotein performance to track changes in environmental humidity. Droplet extension combines with that of a thread's supporting flagelliform fibers to sum the adhesive forces of multiple droplets, creating an effective adhesive system. We combined measurements of the force on an extending droplet, as gauged by the deflection of its support line, with measurements of glycoprotein volume and droplet extension to determine the Young's modulus (E) and toughness of three species' glycoproteins. We did this at five relative humidities between 20-90% to assess the effect of humidity on these properties. When droplets of a thread span extend, their extensions are constrained and their glycoprotein filaments remain covered by aqueous material. This was also the case during the first extension phase of the individual droplets that we examined. However, as extension progressed, the aqueous layer was progresses disrupted, exposing the glycoprotein. During the first extension phase E ranged from 0.00003 GPa, a value similar to that of fibronectin, a glycoprotein that anchors cells in the extracellular matrix, to 0.00292 GPa, a value similar to that of resilin in insect ligaments. Second phase E increased 4.7-19.4-fold. When compared at the same humidity the E of each species' glycoprotein was less than 5% of the value reported for its flagelliform fibers. This difference may facilitate the coordinated extension of these two capture thread components that is responsible for summing the thread's adhesive forces.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brent D. Opell
- Department of Biological Sciences, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia, United States of America
| | - Mary E. Clouse
- Department of Biological Sciences, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia, United States of America
| | - Sheree F. Andrews
- Department of Biological Sciences, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia, United States of America
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16
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Opell BD, Jain D, Dhinojwala A, Blackledge TA. Tuning orb spider glycoprotein glue performance to habitat humidity. J Exp Biol 2018; 221:221/6/jeb161539. [DOI: 10.1242/jeb.161539] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
ABSTRACT
Orb-weaving spiders use adhesive threads to delay the escape of insects from their webs until the spiders can locate and subdue the insects. These viscous threads are spun as paired flagelliform axial fibers coated by a cylinder of solution derived from the aggregate glands. As low molecular mass compounds (LMMCs) in the aggregate solution attract atmospheric moisture, the enlarging cylinder becomes unstable and divides into droplets. Within each droplet an adhesive glycoprotein core condenses. The plasticity and axial line extensibility of the glycoproteins are maintained by hygroscopic LMMCs. These compounds cause droplet volume to track changes in humidity and glycoprotein viscosity to vary approximately 1000-fold over the course of a day. Natural selection has tuned the performance of glycoprotein cores to the humidity of a species' foraging environment by altering the composition of its LMMCs. Thus, species from low-humidity habits have more hygroscopic threads than those from humid forests. However, at their respective foraging humidities, these species' glycoproteins have remarkably similar viscosities, ensuring optimal droplet adhesion by balancing glycoprotein adhesion and cohesion. Optimal viscosity is also essential for integrating the adhesion force of multiple droplets. As force is transferred to a thread's support line, extending droplets draw it into a parabolic configuration, implementing a suspension bridge mechanism that sums the adhesive force generated over the thread span. Thus, viscous capture threads extend an orb spider's phenotype as a highly integrated complex of large proteins and small molecules that function as a self-assembling, highly tuned, environmentally responsive, adhesive biomaterial. Understanding the synergistic role of chemistry and design in spider adhesives, particularly the ability to stick in wet conditions, provides insight in designing synthetic adhesives for biomedical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brent D. Opell
- Department of Biological Sciences, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA
| | - Dharamdeep Jain
- Department of Polymer Science, Integrated Bioscience Program, The University of Akron, Akron, OH 44325, USA
| | - Ali Dhinojwala
- Department of Polymer Science, Integrated Bioscience Program, The University of Akron, Akron, OH 44325, USA
| | - Todd A. Blackledge
- Department of Biology, Integrated Bioscience Program, The University of Akron, Akron, OH 44325, USA
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17
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Opell BD, Buccella KE, Godwin MK, Rivas MX, Hendricks ML. Humidity-mediated changes in an orb spider's glycoprotein adhesive impact prey retention time. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2017; 220:1313-1321. [PMID: 28356367 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.148080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2016] [Accepted: 01/16/2017] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Properties of the viscous prey capture threads of araneoid orb spiders change in response to their environment. Relative humidity (RH) affects the performance of the thread's hygroscopic droplets by altering the viscoelasticity of each droplet's adhesive glycoprotein core. Studies that have characterized this performance used smooth glass and steel surfaces and uniform forces. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that these changes in performance translate into differences in prey retention times. We first characterized the glycoprotein contact surface areas and maximum extension lengths of Araneus marmoreus droplets at 20%, 37%, 55%, 72% and 90% RH and then modeled the relative work required to initiate pull-off of a 4 mm thread span, concluding that this species' droplets and threads performed optimally at 72% RH. Next, we evaluated the ability of three equally spaced capture thread strands to retain a house fly at 37%, 55% and 72% RH. Each fly's struggle was captured in a video and bouts of active escape behavior were summed. House flies were retained 11 s longer at 72% RH than at 37% and 55% RH. This difference is ecologically significant because the short time after an insect strikes a web and before a spider begins wrapping it is an insect's only opportunity to escape from the web. Moreover, these results validate the mechanism by which natural selection can tune the performance of an orb spider's capture threads to the humidity of its habitat.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brent D Opell
- Department of Biological Sciences, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA
| | - Katrina E Buccella
- Department of Biological Sciences, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA
| | - Meaghan K Godwin
- Department of Animal and Poultry Sciences, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA
| | - Malik X Rivas
- Department of Biological Sciences, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA
| | - Mary L Hendricks
- Department of Biological Sciences, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA
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18
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Henneken J, Goodger JQD, Jones TM, Elgar MA. Variation in the web-based chemical cues of Argiope keyserlingi. JOURNAL OF INSECT PHYSIOLOGY 2017; 101:15-21. [PMID: 28606855 DOI: 10.1016/j.jinsphys.2017.06.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2017] [Revised: 06/02/2017] [Accepted: 06/07/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Pheromones are chemical compounds used to transmit information between individuals of the same species. Pheromone composition is influenced by both genetic and environmental factors. Numerous studies, predominately of insects, have demonstrated a role for diet in pheromone expression. The chemical composition of spider web-silk varies with diet and in many species these chemicals are crucial to mate choice processes. Here, we investigated individual variation in the chemical compounds found on the surface of web-silk of female Argiope keyserlingi, and further explored the degree to which they are influenced by diet, investment in egg sac production and site of collection. We observed variation in the web-based chemical cues both between and within individuals. Additionally, we found that some of this variation could be explained by diet and gravid status but not by collection site. We discuss our findings in relation to mate choice processes and the costs and benefits of the observed variation in these web-based chemicals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Henneken
- School of Biosciences, The University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
| | - Jason Q D Goodger
- School of Biosciences, The University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Therèsa M Jones
- School of Biosciences, The University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Mark A Elgar
- School of Biosciences, The University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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19
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Benamú M, Lacava M, García LF, Santana M, Fang J, Wang X, Blamires SJ. Nanostructural and mechanical property changes to spider silk as a consequence of insecticide exposure. CHEMOSPHERE 2017; 181:241-249. [PMID: 28445817 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2017.04.079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2017] [Revised: 03/27/2017] [Accepted: 04/17/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Neonicotinoids are one of the world's most extensively used insecticides, but their sub-lethal influences on non-target and beneficial organisms are not well known. Here we exposed the orb web spider Parawixia audax, which is found on arable lands in Uruguay, to a sub-lethal concentration of the broad spectrum insecticide Geonex (thiamethoxam + lambda-cyhalothrin) and monitored their web building. We collected their major ampullate silk and subjected it to tensile tests, wide-angle X-ray diffraction (WAXS) analysis, and amino acid composition analysis. Around half of the exposed spiders failed to build webs. Those that built webs produced irregular webs lacking spiral threads. The mechanical properties, nanostructures, and amino acid compositions of the silk were all significantly affected when the spiders were exposed to insecticides. We found that silk proline, glutamine, alanine and glycine compositions differed between treatments, indicating that insecticide exposure induced downregulation of the silk protein MaSp2. The spiders in the control group had stronger, tougher and more extensible silks than those in the insecticide exposed group. Our WAXS analyses showed the amorphous region nanostructures became misaligned in insecticide exposed silks, explaining their greater stiffness. While the insecticide dose we subjected P. audax to was evidently sub-lethal, the changes in silk physicochemical properties and the impairment to web building will indelibly affect their ability to catch prey.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Benamú
- Centro Universitario de Rivera (Universidad de la República), Rivera, Uruguay; Laboratorio Ecología del Comportamiento (Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas Clemente Estable), Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Mariángeles Lacava
- Centro Universitario de Rivera (Universidad de la República), Rivera, Uruguay; Laboratorio Ecología del Comportamiento (Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas Clemente Estable), Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Luis F García
- Centro Universitario Regional del Este (Universidad de la República) Treinta y Tres, Uruguay
| | - Martín Santana
- Laboratorio Ecología del Comportamiento (Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas Clemente Estable), Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Jian Fang
- Institute for Frontier Materials (IFM), Deakin University, Waurn Ponds Campus, Geelong, Vic 3220, Australia
| | - Xungai Wang
- Institute for Frontier Materials (IFM), Deakin University, Waurn Ponds Campus, Geelong, Vic 3220, Australia
| | - Sean J Blamires
- Evolution & Ecology Research Centre, School of Biological, Earth & Environmental Sciences, The University of New South Wales, Sydney NSW 2052, Australia.
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20
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Henneken J, Goodger JQ, Jones TM, Elgar MA. The potential role of web-based putrescine as a prey-attracting allomone. Anim Behav 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2017.05.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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21
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von Byern J, Dorrer V, Merritt DJ, Chandler P, Stringer I, Marchetti-Deschmann M, McNaughton A, Cyran N, Thiel K, Noeske M, Grunwald I. Characterization of the Fishing Lines in Titiwai (=Arachnocampa luminosa Skuse, 1890) from New Zealand and Australia. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0162687. [PMID: 27973586 PMCID: PMC5156358 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0162687] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2016] [Accepted: 08/27/2016] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Animals use adhesive secretions in a plethora of ways, either for attachment, egg anchorage, mating or as either active or passive defence. The most interesting function, however, is the use of adhesive threads to capture prey, as the bonding must be performed within milliseconds and under unsuitable conditions (movement of prey, variable environmental conditions, unfavourable attack angle, etc.) to be nonetheless successful. In the following study a detailed characterization of the prey capture system of the world-renowned glowworm group Arachnocampa from the macroscopic to the ultrastructural level is performed. The data reveal that the adhesive droplets consist mostly of water and display hygroscopic properties at varying humidity levels. The droplet core of Arachnocampa luminosa includes a certain amount of the elements sodium, sulphur and potassium (beside carbon, oxygen and nitrogen), while a different element composition is found in the two related species A. richardsae and A. tasmaniensis. Evidence for lipids, carbohydrates and proteins was negative on the histochemical level, however X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy confirm the presence of peptides within the droplet content. Different to earlier assumptions, the present study indicates that rather than oxalic acid, urea or uric acid are present in the adhesive droplets, presumably originating from the gut. Comparing the capture system in Arachnocampa with those of orb-spiders, large differences appear not only regarding the silky threads, but also, in the composition, hygroscopic properties and size of the mucous droplets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janek von Byern
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Experimental and Clinical Traumatology, Vienna, Austria
- University of Vienna, Faculty of Life Science, Core Facility Cell Imaging & Ultrastructure Research, Vienna, Austria
- * E-mail:
| | - Victoria Dorrer
- Technical University Wien, Institute of Chemical Technologies and Analytics, Vienna, Austria
| | - David J. Merritt
- The University of Queensland, School of Biological Sciences, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | | | - Ian Stringer
- Department of Conservation, Wellington, New Zealand
| | | | - Andrew McNaughton
- University of Otago, School of Medical Sciences, Department of Anatomy, Otago Centre for Confocal Microscopy, Otago, New Zealand
| | - Norbert Cyran
- University of Vienna, Faculty of Life Science, Core Facility Cell Imaging & Ultrastructure Research, Vienna, Austria
| | - Karsten Thiel
- Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Technology and Advanced Materials, Department of Adhesive Bonding Technology and Surfaces, Bremen, Germany
| | - Michael Noeske
- Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Technology and Advanced Materials, Department of Adhesive Bonding Technology and Surfaces, Bremen, Germany
| | - Ingo Grunwald
- Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Technology and Advanced Materials, Department of Adhesive Bonding Technology and Surfaces, Bremen, Germany
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22
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Benhadi-Marín J, Pereira JA, Santos SAP. Effects of kaolin particle films on the life span of an orb-weaver spider. CHEMOSPHERE 2016; 144:918-924. [PMID: 26432533 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2015.09.069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2015] [Revised: 09/10/2015] [Accepted: 09/18/2015] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Araniella cucurbitina (Araneae: Araneidae) is a widespread orb-weaver spider commonly found in agroecosystems. Mineral particle films such as kaolin, due to their protective or anti-feeding action, can represent an alternative to pesticides, especially in organic farming systems, but little is known about its effects on A. cucurbitina. Therefore, we tested the effect of kaolin sprays on the life span of A. cucurbitina under laboratory conditions. Four treatments were tested encompassing different exposure routes. Thus, kaolin sprays were applied on (i) the surface, (ii) the prey (fly), (iii) the spider and (iv) both spider & prey. A control group was tested with water in each treatment. Results showed that sprays of kaolin significantly affected the survival of A. curcubitina when applications were done on the surface and on both spider & prey registering a reduction of 48% and 56%, respectively. Spiders in control obtained higher probability of reaching alive at the end of the assay than those treated with kaolin. Differences observed can be explained by the feeding behavior of the species and may depend on the consumption of the web by the spider and the ratio spider/fly for body size.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacinto Benhadi-Marín
- Mountain Research Centre (CIMO), School of Agriculture, Polytechnic Institute of Bragança, Campus of Santa Apolónia, PO Box 1172, 5301-855 Bragança, Portugal; Department of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, 3004-517 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - José Alberto Pereira
- Mountain Research Centre (CIMO), School of Agriculture, Polytechnic Institute of Bragança, Campus of Santa Apolónia, PO Box 1172, 5301-855 Bragança, Portugal
| | - Sónia A P Santos
- Mountain Research Centre (CIMO), School of Agriculture, Polytechnic Institute of Bragança, Campus of Santa Apolónia, PO Box 1172, 5301-855 Bragança, Portugal.
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23
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Blamires SJ, Hasemore M, Martens PJ, Kasumovic MM. Diet-induced covariation between architectural and physicochemical plasticity in an extended phenotype. J Exp Biol 2016; 220:876-884. [DOI: 10.1242/jeb.150029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2016] [Accepted: 12/14/2016] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
The adaptive benefits of extended phenotypic plasticity are imprecisely defined due to a paucity of experiments examining traits that are manipulable and measurable across environments. Spider webs are often used as models to explore the adaptive benefits of variations in extended phenotypes across environments. Nonetheless, our understanding of the adaptive nature of the plastic responses of spider webs is impeded when web architectures and silk physicochemical properties appear to co-vary. An opportunity to examine this co-variation is presented by modifying prey items while measuring web architectures and silk physiochemical properties. Here we performed two experiments to assess the nature of the association between web architectures and gluey silk properties when the orb web spider Argiope keyserlingi was fed a diet that varied in either mass and energy or prey size and feeding frequency. We found web architectures and gluey silk physicochemical properties to co-vary across treatments in both experiments. Specifically, web capture area co-varied with gluey droplet morphometrics, thread stickiness and salt concentrations when prey mass and energy were manipulated, and spiral spacing co-varied with gluey silk salt concentrations when prey size and feeding frequency were manipulated. We explained our results as A. keyserlingi plastically shifting its foraging strategy as multiple prey parameters simultaneously varied. We confirmed and extended previous work by showing that spiders use a variety of prey cues to concurrently adjust web and silk traits across different feeding regimes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sean J. Blamires
- Evolution & Ecology Research Centre, School of Biological, Earth & Environmental Sciences D26, The University of New South Wales, Sydney 2052, Australia
| | - Matthew Hasemore
- Evolution & Ecology Research Centre, School of Biological, Earth & Environmental Sciences D26, The University of New South Wales, Sydney 2052, Australia
| | - Penny J. Martens
- Graduate School of Biomedical Engineering, Samuels Building F25, The University of New South Wales, Sydney 2052, Australia
| | - Michael M. Kasumovic
- Evolution & Ecology Research Centre, School of Biological, Earth & Environmental Sciences D26, The University of New South Wales, Sydney 2052, Australia
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24
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Amarpuri G, Zhang C, Diaz C, Opell BD, Blackledge TA, Dhinojwala A. Spiders Tune Glue Viscosity to Maximize Adhesion. ACS NANO 2015; 9:11472-8. [PMID: 26513350 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.5b05658] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
Adhesion in humid conditions is a fundamental challenge to both natural and synthetic adhesives. Yet, glue from most spider species becomes stickier as humidity increases. We find the adhesion of spider glue, from five diverse spider species, maximizes at very different humidities that matches their foraging habitats. By using high-speed imaging and spreading power law, we find that the glue viscosity varies over 5 orders of magnitude with humidity for each species, yet the viscosity at maximal adhesion for each species is nearly identical, 10(5)-10(6) cP. Many natural systems take advantage of viscosity to improve functional response, but spider glue's humidity responsiveness is a novel adaptation that makes the glue stickiest in each species' preferred habitat. This tuning is achieved by a combination of proteins and hygroscopic organic salts that determines water uptake in the glue. We therefore anticipate that manipulation of polymer-salts interaction to control viscosity can provide a simple mechanism to design humidity responsive smart adhesives.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Brent D Opell
- Department of Biological Sciences, Virginia Tech , Blacksburg, Virginia 24061, United States
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25
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Henneken J, Jones TM, Goodger JQ, Dias DA, Walter A, Elgar MA. Diet influences female signal reliability for male mate choice. Anim Behav 2015. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2015.07.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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26
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Jain D, Zhang C, Cool LR, Blackledge TA, Wesdemiotis C, Miyoshi T, Dhinojwala A. Composition and Function of Spider Glues Maintained During the Evolution of Cobwebs. Biomacromolecules 2015; 16:3373-80. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.biomac.5b01040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Dharamdeep Jain
- Department
of Polymer Science, The University of Akron, Akron, Ohio 44325-3909, United States
| | - Ci Zhang
- Department
of Polymer Science, The University of Akron, Akron, Ohio 44325-3909, United States
| | - Lydia Rose Cool
- Department
of Chemistry, The University of Akron, Akron, Ohio 44325-3601, United States
| | - Todd A. Blackledge
- Department
of Biology, Integrated Bioscience Program, The University of Akron, Akron, Ohio 44325-3908, United States
| | - Chrys Wesdemiotis
- Department
of Chemistry, The University of Akron, Akron, Ohio 44325-3601, United States
| | - Toshikazu Miyoshi
- Department
of Polymer Science, The University of Akron, Akron, Ohio 44325-3909, United States
| | - Ali Dhinojwala
- Department
of Polymer Science, The University of Akron, Akron, Ohio 44325-3909, United States
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27
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Blamires SJ, Piorkowski D, Chuang A, Tseng YH, Toft S, Tso IM. Can differential nutrient extraction explain property variations in a predatory trap? ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE 2015; 2:140479. [PMID: 26064618 PMCID: PMC4448829 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.140479] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2014] [Accepted: 02/16/2015] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Predators exhibit flexible foraging to facilitate taking prey that offer important nutrients. Because trap-building predators have limited control over the prey they encounter, differential nutrient extraction and trap architectural flexibility may be used as a means of prey selection. Here, we tested whether differential nutrient extraction induces flexibility in architecture and stickiness of a spider's web by feeding Nephila pilipes live crickets (CC), live flies (FF), dead crickets with the web stimulated by flies (CD) or dead flies with the web stimulated by crickets (FD). Spiders in the CD group consumed less protein per mass of lipid or carbohydrate, and spiders in the FF group consumed less carbohydrates per mass of protein. Spiders from the CD group built stickier webs that used less silk, whereas spiders in the FF group built webs with more radii, greater catching areas and more silk, compared with other treatments. Our results suggest that differential nutrient extraction is a likely explanation for prey-induced spider web architecture and stickiness variations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sean J. Blamires
- Department of Life Science, Tunghai University, Taichung 40704, Taiwan, Republic of China
- Evolution and Ecology Research Centre, School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales 2052, Australia
| | - Dakota Piorkowski
- Department of Life Science, Tunghai University, Taichung 40704, Taiwan, Republic of China
| | - Angela Chuang
- Department of Life Science, Tunghai University, Taichung 40704, Taiwan, Republic of China
| | - Yi-Hsuan Tseng
- Department of Life Science, National Chung-Hsing University, Taichung 40227, Taiwan, Republic of China
| | - Søren Toft
- Department of BioScience, Aarhus University, Building 1540, Ny Munkegade 116, Aarhus 8000 C, Denmark
| | - I-Min Tso
- Department of Life Science, Tunghai University, Taichung 40704, Taiwan, Republic of China
- Department of Life Science, National Chung-Hsing University, Taichung 40227, Taiwan, Republic of China
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28
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Gregorič M, Kuntner M, Blackledge TA. Does body size predict foraging effort? Patterns of material investment in spider orb webs. J Zool (1987) 2015. [DOI: 10.1111/jzo.12219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- M. Gregorič
- Institute of Biology Scientific Research Centre Slovenian Academy of Sciences and Arts Ljubljana Slovenia
- Department of Biology and Integrated Bioscience Program University of Akron Akron OH USA
| | - M. Kuntner
- Institute of Biology Scientific Research Centre Slovenian Academy of Sciences and Arts Ljubljana Slovenia
- Department of Entomology National Museum of Natural History Smithsonian Institution Washington DC USA
- College of Life Sciences Hubei University Wuhan Hubei China
| | - T. A. Blackledge
- Department of Biology and Integrated Bioscience Program University of Akron Akron OH USA
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29
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Sahni V, Miyoshi T, Chen K, Jain D, Blamires SJ, Blackledge TA, Dhinojwala A. Direct Solvation of Glycoproteins by Salts in Spider Silk Glues Enhances Adhesion and Helps To Explain the Evolution of Modern Spider Orb Webs. Biomacromolecules 2014; 15:1225-32. [DOI: 10.1021/bm401800y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Vasav Sahni
- Department
of Polymer Science, The University of Akron, Akron, Ohio 44325-3909, United States
| | - Toshikazu Miyoshi
- Department
of Polymer Science, The University of Akron, Akron, Ohio 44325-3909, United States
| | - Kelley Chen
- Department
of Polymer Science, The University of Akron, Akron, Ohio 44325-3909, United States
| | - Dharamdeep Jain
- Department
of Polymer Science, The University of Akron, Akron, Ohio 44325-3909, United States
| | - Sean J. Blamires
- Department
of Life Sciences, Tunghai University, Taichung 40704, Taiwan
| | - Todd A. Blackledge
- Department
of Biology, Integrated Bioscience Program, The University of Akron, Akron, Ohio 44325-3908, United States
| | - Ali Dhinojwala
- Department
of Polymer Science, The University of Akron, Akron, Ohio 44325-3909, United States
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30
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Blamires SJ, Sahni V, Dhinojwala A, Blackledge TA, Tso IM. Nutrient deprivation induces property variations in spider gluey silk. PLoS One 2014; 9:e88487. [PMID: 24523902 PMCID: PMC3921163 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0088487] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2013] [Accepted: 01/08/2014] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Understanding the mechanisms facilitating property variability in biological adhesives may promote biomimetic innovations. Spider gluey silks such as the spiral threads in orb webs and the gumfoot threads in cobwebs, both of which comprise of an axial thread coated by glue, are biological adhesives that have variable physical and chemical properties. Studies show that the physical and chemical properties of orb web gluey threads change when spiders are deprived of food. It is, however, unknown whether gumfoot threads undergo similar property variations when under nutritional stress. Here we tested whether protein deprivation induces similar variations in spiral and gumfoot thread morphology and stickiness. We manipulated protein intake for the orb web spider Nephila clavipes and the cobweb spider Latrodectus hesperus and measured the diameter, glue droplet volume, number of droplets per mm, axial thread width, thread stickiness and adhesive energy of their gluey silks. We found that the gluey silks of both species were stickier when the spiders were deprived of protein than when the spiders were fed protein. In N. clavipes a concomitant increase in glue droplet volume was found. Load-extension curves showed that protein deprivation induced glue property variations independent of the axial thread extensions in both species. We predicted that changes in salt composition of the glues were primarily responsible for the changes in stickiness of the silks, although changes in axial thread properties might also contribute. We, additionally, showed that N. clavipes' glue changes color under protein deprivation, probably as a consequence of changes to its biochemical composition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sean J. Blamires
- Department of Life Science, Tunghai University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Vasav Sahni
- Department of Polymer Science, The University of Akron, Akron, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Ali Dhinojwala
- Department of Polymer Science, The University of Akron, Akron, Ohio, United States of America
| | - Todd A. Blackledge
- Department of Biology, Integrated Bioscience Program, The University of Akron, Akron, Ohio, United States of America
| | - I-Min Tso
- Department of Life Science, Tunghai University, Taichung, Taiwan
- * E-mail:
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Sensenig AT, Kelly SP, Lorentz KA, Lesher B, Blackledge TA. Mechanical performance of spider orb webs is tuned for high-speed prey. J Exp Biol 2013; 216:3388-94. [DOI: 10.1242/jeb.085571] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
SUMMARY
Spiders in the Orbiculariae spin orb webs that dissipate the mechanical energy of their flying prey, bringing the insects to rest and retaining them long enough for the spider to attack and subdue their meals. Small prey are easily stopped by webs but provide little energetic gain. While larger prey offer substantial nourishment, they are also challenging to capture and can damage the web if they escape. We therefore hypothesized that spider orb webs exhibit properties that improve their probability of stopping larger insects while minimizing damage when the mechanical energy of those prey exceeds the web's capacity. Large insects are typically both heavier and faster flying than smaller prey, but speed plays a disproportionate role in determining total kinetic energy, so we predicted that orb webs may dissipate energy more effectively under faster impacts, independent of kinetic energy per se. We used high-speed video to visualize the impact of wooden pellets fired into orb webs to simulate prey strikes and tested how capture probability varied as a function of pellet size and speed. Capture probability was virtually nil above speeds of ~3 m s−1. However, successful captures do not directly measure the maximum possible energy dissipation by orb webs because these events include lower-energy impacts that may not significantly challenge orb web performance. Therefore, we also compared the total kinetic energy removed from projectiles that escaped orb webs by breaking through the silk, asking whether more energy was removed at faster speeds. Over a range of speeds relevant to insect flight, the amount of energy absorbed by orb webs increases with the speed of prey (i.e. the rates at which webs are stretched). Orb webs therefore respond to faster – and hence higher kinetic energy – prey with better performance, suggesting adaptation to capture larger and faster flying insect prey. This speed-dependent toughness of a complex structure suggests the utility of the intrinsic toughness of spider silk and/or features of the macro-design of webs for high-velocity industrial or military applications, such as ballistic energy absorption.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sean P. Kelly
- Department of Biology and Integrated Bioscience Program, University of Akron, Akron, OH 44325-3908, USA
| | - Kimberly A. Lorentz
- Department of Biology and Integrated Bioscience Program, University of Akron, Akron, OH 44325-3908, USA
| | - Brittany Lesher
- Department of Biology and Integrated Bioscience Program, University of Akron, Akron, OH 44325-3908, USA
| | - Todd A. Blackledge
- Department of Biology and Integrated Bioscience Program, University of Akron, Akron, OH 44325-3908, USA
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Opell BD, Karinshak SE, Sigler MA. Environmental response and adaptation of glycoprotein glue within the droplets of viscous prey capture threads from araneoid spider orb-webs. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2013; 216:3023-34. [PMID: 23619400 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.084822] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Viscous threads that form the prey capture spiral of araneoid orb-webs retain insects that strike the web, giving a spider more time to locate and subdue them. The viscoelastic glycoprotein glue responsible for this adhesion forms the core of regularly spaced aqueous droplets, which are supported by protein axial fibers. Glycoprotein extensibility both facilitates the recruitment of adhesion from multiple droplets and dissipates the energy generated by insects struggling to free themselves from the web. Compounds in the aqueous material make the droplets hygroscopic, causing an increase in both droplet volume and extensibility as humidity (RH) rises. We characterized these humidity-mediated responses at 20%, 37%, 55%, 72% and 90% RH in two large orb-weavers, Argiope aurantia, which is found in exposed habitats, and Neoscona crucifera, which occupies forests and forest edges. The volume-specific extension of A. aurantia glycoprotein reached a maximum value at 55% RH and then declined, whereas that of N. crucifera increased exponentially through the RH range. As RH increased, the relative stress on droplet filaments at maximum extension, as gauged by axial line deflection, decreased in a linear fashion in A. aurantia, but in N. crucifer increased logarithmically, indicating that N. crucifera threads are better equipped to dissipate energy through droplet elongation. The greater hygroscopicity of A. aurantia threads equips them to function in lower RH environments and during the afternoon when RH drops, but their performance is diminished during the high RH of the morning hours. In contrast, the lower hygroscopicity of N. crucifera threads optimizes their performance for intermediate and high RH environments and during the night and morning. These interspecific differences support the hypothesis that viscous capture threads are adapted to the humidity regime of an orb-weaver's habitat.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brent D Opell
- Department of Biological Sciences, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, USA.
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Townley MA, Pu Q, Zercher CK, Neefus CD, Tillinghast EK. Small organic solutes in sticky droplets from orb webs of the spider Zygiella atrica (Araneae; Araneidae): β-alaninamide is a novel and abundant component. Chem Biodivers 2013; 9:2159-74. [PMID: 23081916 DOI: 10.1002/cbdv.201200077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
In northeastern North America, Zygiella atrica often build their orb webs near the ocean. We analyzed individual field-built Z. atrica webs to determine if organic low-molecular-mass solutes (LMM) in their sticky droplets showed any unusual features not previously seen in orb webs of other species living in less salty environments. While two of the three most abundant organic LMM (putrescine (butane-1,4-diamine) and GABamide (4-aminobutanamide)) are already well-known from webs of inland spiders, the third major LMM, β-alaninamide (3-aminopropanamide), a homolog of GABamide, has not been detected in sticky droplets from any other araneoid spiders (27 species). It remains to be established, however, whether or not use of β-alaninamide is related to proximity to saltwater. We observed variability in organic LMM composition in Z. atrica webs that appeared to be influenced more by an undetermined factor associated with different collecting locations and/or collection dates than by different genders or instars. Shifts in composition when adult females were transferred from the field to the laboratory were also observed. Structural similarities and inverse correlations among β-alaninamide, GABamide, and N-acetylputrescine suggest that they may form a series of LMM fulfilling essentially the same, as yet unknown, role in the webs of those species in which they occur.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark A Townley
- Research Computing and Instrumentation, 46 College Road, Rudman Hall, University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH 03824, USA.
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34
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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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35
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Hansell MH, Ruxton GD. Exploring the dichotomy between animals building using self-secreted materials and using materials collected from the environment. Biol J Linn Soc Lond 2012. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1095-8312.2012.02035.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- M. H. Hansell
- Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine; University of Glasgow; Glasgow G12 8QQ UK
| | - G. D. Ruxton
- School of Biology; University of St Andrews; St Andrews KY16 9TH UK
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36
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Blamires SJ, Chao YC, Liao CP, Tso IM. Multiple prey cues induce foraging flexibility in a trap-building predator. Anim Behav 2011. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2011.01.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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37
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Opell BD, Tran AM, Karinshak SE. Adhesive compatibility of cribellar and viscous prey capture threads and its implication for the evolution of orb-weaving spiders. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2011; 315:376-84. [PMID: 21445988 DOI: 10.1002/jez.684] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2010] [Revised: 02/16/2011] [Accepted: 02/22/2011] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Evolution of orb-weaving spiders that comprise the Orbiculariae clade involved a transition in the composition of prey capture thread that has been challenging to explain. The primitive cribellar threads spun by members of the Deinopoidea subclade resemble the capture threads of their non-orb-web-weaving ancestors and are formed of thousands of fine, dry, protein cribellar fibrils. In contrast, the derived viscous capture threads spun by members of the Araneoidea subclade have regularly spaced, aqueous adhesive droplets. When second instar deinopoid spiderlings emerge from egg sacs they are unable to spin cribellar threads, and, therefore, do not construct orb-webs; whereas second instar araneoids spin capture threads and construct orb-webs. If, as we hypothesize, viscous material evolved to enable second instar spiderlings to construct orb-webs, early araneoids may have spun composite cribellar-viscous capture threads. To examine the functional feasibility of such intermediate capture threads, we compared the adhesion of cribellar threads, viscous threads, and combined cribellar-viscous threads. The stickiness of these combined threads was greater than that of native cribellar or viscous threads alone. The viscous material of Araneus marmoreus threads exhibited a substantial increase in stickiness when combined with cribellar fibrils and that of Argiope aurantia threads a small increase in stickiness when combined with cribellar fibrils. Thus, if early araneoids retained their ability to spin cribellar threads after having evolved glands that produced viscous material, their composite threads could have formed a functional adhesive system that achieved its stickiness at no loss of material economy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brent D Opell
- Department of Biological Sciences, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, USA.
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38
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Kane DM, Joyce AM, Staib GR, Herberstein ME. Optical surface profiling of orb-web spider capture silks. BIOINSPIRATION & BIOMIMETICS 2010; 5:036004. [PMID: 20710068 DOI: 10.1088/1748-3182/5/3/036004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
Much spider silk research to date has focused on its mechanical properties. However, the webs of many orb-web spiders have evolved for over 136 million years to evade visual detection by insect prey. It is therefore a photonic device in addition to being a mechanical device. Herein we use optical surface profiling of capture silks from the webs of adult female St Andrews cross spiders (Argiope keyserlingi) to successfully measure the geometry of adhesive silk droplets and to show a bowing in the aqueous layer on the spider capture silk between adhesive droplets. Optical surface profiling shows geometric features of the capture silk that have not been previously measured and contributes to understanding the links between the physical form and biological function. The research also demonstrates non-standard use of an optical surface profiler to measure the maximum width of a transparent micro-sized droplet (microlens).
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Affiliation(s)
- D M Kane
- Department of Physics, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
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39
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Opell BD, Hendricks ML. The role of granules within viscous capture threads of orb-weaving spiders. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2010; 213:339-46. [PMID: 20038669 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.036947] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Sticky viscous prey capture threads form the spiral elements of spider orb-webs and are responsible for retaining insects that strike a web. These threads are formed of regularly spaced aqueous droplets that surround a pair of supporting axial fibers. When a thread is flattened on a microscope slide a small, opaque granule can usually be seen within each droplet. These granules have been thought to be the glycoprotein glue that imparts thread adhesion. Both independent contrast and standard regressions showed that granule size is directly related to droplet volume and indicated that granule volume is about 15% of droplet volume. We attempted to find support for the hypothesized adhesive role of granules by establishing an association between the contact surface area and volume of these granules and the stickiness of the viscous threads of 16 species in the context of a six-variable model that describes thread stickiness. However, we found that granule size made either an insignificant or a small negative contribution to thread stickiness. Consequently, we hypothesize that granules serve to anchor larger, surrounding layers of transparent glycoprotein glue to the axial fibers of the thread, thereby equipping droplets to resist slippage on the axial fibers as these droplets generate adhesion, elongate under a load, and transfer force to the axial fibers.
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Affiliation(s)
- B. D. Opell
- Department of Biological Sciences, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061, USA
| | - M. L. Hendricks
- Department of Biological Sciences, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061, USA
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40
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Krejčík Z, Hollemeyer K, Smits THM, Cook AM. Isethionate formation from taurine in Chromohalobacter salexigens: purification of sulfoacetaldehyde reductase. MICROBIOLOGY-SGM 2010; 156:1547-1555. [PMID: 20133363 DOI: 10.1099/mic.0.036699-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Bacterial generation of isethionate (2-hydroxyethanesulfonate) from taurine (2-aminoethanesulfonate) by anaerobic gut bacteria was established in 1980. That phenomenon in pure culture was recognized as a pathway of assimilation of taurine-nitrogen. Based on the latter work, we predicted from genome-sequence data that the marine gammaproteobacterium Chromohalobacter salexigens DSM 3043 would exhibit this trait. Quantitative conversion of taurine to isethionate, identified by mass spectrometry, was confirmed, and the taurine-nitrogen was recovered as cell material. An eight-gene cluster was predicted to encode the inducible vectorial, scalar and regulatory enzymes involved, some of which were known from other taurine pathways. The genes (Csal_0153-Csal_0156) encoding a putative ATP-binding-cassette (ABC) transporter for taurine (TauAB(1)B(2)C) were shown to be inducibly transcribed by reverse transcription (RT-) PCR. An inducible taurine : 2-oxoglutarate aminotransferase [EC 2.6.1.55] was found (Csal_0158); the reaction yielded glutamate and sulfoacetaldehyde. The sulfoacetaldehyde was reduced to isethionate by NADPH-dependent sulfoacetaldehyde reductase (IsfD), a member of the short-chain alcohol dehydrogenase superfamily. The 27 kDa protein (SDS-PAGE) was identified by peptide-mass fingerprinting as the gene product of Csal_0161. The putative exporter of isethionate (IsfE) is encoded by Csal_0160; isfE was inducibly transcribed (RT-PCR). The presumed transcriptional regulator, TauR (Csal_0157), may autoregulate its own expression, typical of GntR-type regulators. Similar gene clusters were found in several marine and terrestrial gammaproteobacteria, which, in the gut canal, could be the source of not only mammalian, but also arachnid and cephalopod isethionate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zdeněk Krejčík
- Institute of Molecular Genetics, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, CZ-16637 Prague, Czech Republic.,Department of Biology, The University, D-78457 Konstanz, Germany
| | - Klaus Hollemeyer
- Institute of Biochemical Engineering, Saarland University, Box 50 11 50, D-66041 Saarbrücken, Germany
| | - Theo H M Smits
- Agroscope Changins-Wädenswil ACW, Schloss, Postfach, CH-8820 Wädenswil, Switzerland.,Department of Biology, The University, D-78457 Konstanz, Germany
| | - Alasdair M Cook
- Department of Biology, The University, D-78457 Konstanz, Germany
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Weinitschke S, Sharma PI, Stingl U, Cook AM, Smits THM. Gene clusters involved in isethionate degradation by terrestrial and marine bacteria. Appl Environ Microbiol 2010; 76:618-21. [PMID: 19933343 PMCID: PMC2805217 DOI: 10.1128/aem.01818-09] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2009] [Accepted: 11/10/2009] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Ubiquitous isethionate (2-hydroxyethanesulfonate) is dissimilated by diverse bacteria. Growth of Cupriavidus necator H16 with isethionate was observed, as was inducible membrane-bound isethionate dehydrogenase (IseJ) and inducible transcription of the genes predicted to encode IseJ and a transporter (IseU). Biodiversity in isethionate transport genes was observed and investigated by transcription experiments.
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42
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Spider fibers and the apparent fungal colonization of rock-art caves. Naturwissenschaften 2009; 97:115-6. [PMID: 20012258 DOI: 10.1007/s00114-009-0632-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2009] [Revised: 10/20/2009] [Accepted: 10/24/2009] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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Rousseau ME, Lefèvre T, Pézolet M. Conformation and Orientation of Proteins in Various Types of Silk Fibers Produced by Nephila clavipes Spiders. Biomacromolecules 2009; 10:2945-53. [DOI: 10.1021/bm9007919] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Marie-Eve Rousseau
- Centre de recherche sur les matériaux avancés, Département de chimie, Université Laval, Pavillon Alexandre-Vachon, 1045 avenue de la médecine, Québec (Québec) G1 V 0A6, Canada
| | - Thierry Lefèvre
- Centre de recherche sur les matériaux avancés, Département de chimie, Université Laval, Pavillon Alexandre-Vachon, 1045 avenue de la médecine, Québec (Québec) G1 V 0A6, Canada
| | - Michel Pézolet
- Centre de recherche sur les matériaux avancés, Département de chimie, Université Laval, Pavillon Alexandre-Vachon, 1045 avenue de la médecine, Québec (Québec) G1 V 0A6, Canada
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TOWNLEY MARKA, TILLINGHAST EDWARDK. Developmental changes in spider spinning fields: a comparison between Mimetus and Araneus (Araneae: Mimetidae, Araneidae). Biol J Linn Soc Lond 2009. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1095-8312.2009.01297.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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45
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Heim M, Keerl D, Scheibel T. Spinnenseide: vom löslichen Protein zur außergewöhnlichen Faser. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2009. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.200803341] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
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46
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Heim M, Keerl D, Scheibel T. Spider Silk: From Soluble Protein to Extraordinary Fiber. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2009; 48:3584-96. [DOI: 10.1002/anie.200803341] [Citation(s) in RCA: 394] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
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47
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Blackledge TA, Scharff N, Coddington JA, Szüts T, Wenzel JW, Hayashi CY, Agnarsson I. Reconstructing web evolution and spider diversification in the molecular era. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2009; 106:5229-34. [PMID: 19289848 PMCID: PMC2656561 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.0901377106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 218] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2008] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The evolutionary diversification of spiders is attributed to spectacular innovations in silk. Spiders are unique in synthesizing many different kinds of silk, and using silk for a variety of ecological functions throughout their lives, particularly to make prey-catching webs. Here, we construct a broad higher-level phylogeny of spiders combining molecular data with traditional morphological and behavioral characters. We use this phylogeny to test the hypothesis that the spider orb web evolved only once. We then examine spider diversification in relation to different web architectures and silk use. We find strong support for a single origin of orb webs, implying a major shift in the spinning of capture silk and repeated loss or transformation of orb webs. We show that abandonment of costly cribellate capture silk correlates with the 2 major diversification events in spiders (1). Replacement of cribellate silk by aqueous silk glue may explain the greater diversity of modern orb-weaving spiders (Araneoidea) compared with cribellate orb-weaving spiders (Deinopoidea) (2). Within the "RTA clade," which is the sister group to orb-weaving spiders and contains half of all spider diversity, >90% of species richness is associated with repeated loss of cribellate silk and abandonment of prey capture webs. Accompanying cribellum loss in both groups is a release from substrate-constrained webs, whether by aerially suspended webs, or by abandoning webs altogether. These behavioral shifts in silk and web production by spiders thus likely played a key role in the dramatic evolutionary success and ecological dominance of spiders as predators of insects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Todd A Blackledge
- Department of Biology and Integrated Bioscience Program, University of Akron, Akron, OH 44325-3908, USA.
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48
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Reconstructing web evolution and spider diversification in the molecular era. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2009. [DOI: 10.1073/pnas.0901377106 er] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
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49
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Opell BD, Lipkey GK, Hendricks ML, Vito ST. Daily and seasonal changes in the stickiness of viscous capture threads inArgiope aurantiaandArgiope trifasciataorb-webs. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2009; 311:217-25. [DOI: 10.1002/jez.526] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
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50
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Tillinghast EK, Townley MA. Free amino acids in spider hemolymph. Comp Biochem Physiol B Biochem Mol Biol 2008; 151:286-95. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpb.2008.07.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2008] [Revised: 07/09/2008] [Accepted: 07/15/2008] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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