Fine structural analysis on triad spinning spigots of an orb‐web spider's capture threads. Issue 3 (19th June 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Park, Jong‐Gu; Moon, Myung‐Jin
• Is Part Of: Entomological research. Volume 44:Issue 3(2014:May)
• Page Start: 121
• Page End: 129
• Publication Date: 2014-06-19
• Subjects: Insects -- Korea -- Periodicals; Entomology -- Periodicals; 595.709519
• DOI: 10.1111/1748-5967.12057
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1738-2297

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main"> <title>Abstract</title> <p>Capture threads of the golden orb‐web spider <italic>Nephila clavata</italic> are produced from the silks of a pair of triad spinning units composed of a flagelliform gland (FLG) and two aggregate glands (AGG). In <italic>N. clavata</italic>, arrangement of the triad spigots is closely related to coating an axial supporting fiber with sticky aqueous droplets on a continuous and consistent basis for capture thread production. The central spigot of FLG and peripherally located AGG spigots are aligned along a single plane, and both have bullet‐type spigots with flexible segments. In particular, the pear‐shaped spigot of the AGG with a wide‐aperture nozzle provides not only sufficient luminal space for controlling transient storage of the aqueous gluey substance but also an effective spatial system that thoroughly coats the axial fibers with a viscous aqueous solution.</p> </abstract>