Relation between the outer cover of the egg case of Argiope aurantia (Araneae: Araneidae) and the emergence of its spiderlings

Journal of Morphology
Matthew J ForadoriEdward K Tillinghast

Abstract

To emerge from the egg case, Argiope aurantia spiderlings must penetrate a tightly woven outer cover composed primarily of large-diameter cylindrical gland fibers and small-diameter fibers, likely of aciniform gland origin. They accomplish this using enzymatic digestion and mastication to form a communal hole in the outer cover. The involvement of proteolytic enzymes in this process was demonstrated by zymography of spiderling homogenates and washes made from the edges of holes. The specific source(s) of the proteases is unknown, but histological examination of spiderling sections indicates that the digestive tract, venom glands, and gnathocoxal glands are all functioning at the time of emergence from the egg case. Observations on edges of holes indicate that spiderlings are able to solubilize the small-diameter fibers completely, but cylindrical gland fibers only partially. In the outer cover, cylindrical fibers are composed of numerous fibrils embedded within a matrix. Spiderlings appear to be unable to solubilize the fibrils, but digestion of the matrix allows the spiderlings to push the fibrils aside to create the opening.

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Citations

Aug 3, 2005·Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·Jessica E Garb, Cheryl Y Hayashi
Mar 1, 2016·Journal of Proteome Research·José Roberto Aparecido Dos Santos-PintoMario Sergio Palma
Nov 8, 2005·Journal of Biochemistry·Aichun ZhaoMasao Nakagaki
May 22, 2009·Journal of Morphology·Jaromír HajerDana Reháková
Sep 13, 2019·Optics Express·Zhihai LiuLibo Yuan
Feb 7, 2006·Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology. Part B, Biochemistry & Molecular Biology·Matthew J ForadoriRobert E Mooney

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