Meeting Abstract
Web architecture evolved rapidly during adaptive radiation of Hawaiian Tetragnatha, with similar web architectures evolving repeatedly on different islands. But, whether silk bio-materials can co-evolve with such rapid changes in web architecture remains a mystery. In this study we tested for diversification in silk properties. We predict a relationship between silk properties and the performance of webs. Since Hawaiian Tetragnatha typically inhabit tropical montane forests -where high humidity predominates- we also predict that adhesive forces of capture silk will be greatest at higher humidity – in contrast to typical synthetic adhesives. To characterize bio-material properties of Hawaiian Tetragnatha, Major Ampullate (MA) and capture spiral silk, orb webs where collected at two sites in Hawai’i – Upper Waiakea Forest Reserve, Hawai’i and Waikamoi Nature Conservancy Preserve, Maui. Four species of orb weaver Tetragnatha where target in this study, T.hawaiensis present in Hawai’i and T.stelarobusta, T.trituberculata, T.hawaiensis and T.acuta present in Maui. To determine material properties for two key functions of orb webs, and their chemical bases, we performed tensile and adhesion tests using a Nano Bionix test system. Solution State NMR was also used to assess salt composition of glues. Results of this study will help us see if spider silk material properties are adjusted to its architectures which is important to comprehend spider diversification, and in to gain further knowledge that will help in the development of new bio-materials.
