Shape memory in spider draglines

Article Abstract:

A study was conducted to show that spider dragline has a torsional shape 'memory' that could reversibly and totally recover its initial from without external stimulus. The results show that spider-dragline silk, in addition to its outstanding tensile strength and toughness, has unrivalled torsional qualities that stop the spider twisting and swinging.

Science & research, Behavior, Animal memory

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Sexual dimorphism and distorted sex ratios in spiders

Article Abstract:

Dwarf male spiders have a higher mortality rate than their large, sedentary female companions among spider species with high sexual dimorphism in body size. This reduces the ratio of males to females, which in turn reduces competition among males, which in turn makes body size less important among males, thus favoring further dwarfism.

Sex ratio, Dimorphism (Animals), Dimorphism (Biology)

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Liquid crystalline spinning of spider silk

Article Abstract:

If the spider's internal processing and exact control over protein folding was combined with the knowledge of the gene sequences of the material from which silk is spun, silk-based fibers could be produced under benign conditions.

Spider webs

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