Abstract
The form of a spider's web can be seen as a representation of inherited rules of behaviour, although the geometry of the orb web is not rigidly predetermined. Examining the web as a product of orientation processes is a novel and powerful tool for analysing the measuring functions and decision rules of the spider's web-building behaviour. The garden spider Araneus diadematus Clerk orients the main (capture) spiral of the web according to measurements taken by particular legs. This is apparent when a measuring leg has been regenerated, because the reduced length of the regenerate is reflected in the geometry of the capture spiral. The orientation of the auxiliary spiral (used for support during construction), on the other hand, is not affected and I conclude that the two spirals, both of which are present in each web, are constructed according to different behavioural rules.
This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution
Access options
Subscribe to this journal
Receive 51 print issues and online access
$199.00 per year
only $3.90 per issue
Buy this article
- Purchase on Springer Link
- Instant access to full article PDF
Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout
Similar content being viewed by others
References
1. Eberhard, W. G. Evolution 36, 1067–1095 (1982). 2. Vollrath, F. & Mohren, W. Naturwissenschaften 72, 666–667 (1985). 3. D'Arcy Thompson, W. On Growth and Form Vol. 2, (Cambridge University Press, 1942). 4. Vollrath, F. /. Comp. Physiol. A 152, 275–280 (1986). 5. Roth, V. D. & Roth B. M. Bull. Br. arachnol. Soc. 6, 137–146 (1984). 6. Peters, H. M. Z. Morph. Okol. Tiere 32, 613–649, 33, 128–150 (1937). 7. Vollrath, F. J. comp. Physiol. A (in the press). 8. Ruhland, M. thesis, Univ. Konstanz (1976). 9. Bonnet, P. thesis, Univ. Toulouse (1930). 10. Randall, J. B. Wilhelm Roux Arch. dev. Biol. 190, 230–232 (1981). 11. Goerner, P. & Claas, B. in Neurobiology of Arachnids (ed. Barth, F. G.) 275–297 (Springer, Berlin, 1985). 12. Mittelstaedt, H. in Neurobiology of Arachnids (ed. Barth, F. G.) 298–316 (Springer, Berlin, 1985). 13. Hill, D. E. Behavl. Ecol. Sociobiol. 5, 301–322 (1979). 14. Gould, J. L. in The Biology of Learning (eds Marler, P. & Terrace, H.) 149–180 (Springer, Berlin, 1984). 15. Wehner, R. in Neuroethology and Behavioural Physiology (eds Huber, F. & Markl, H.) 366–381 (Springer, Berlin, 1983). 16. Gould, J. L. Science 232, 861–863 (1986).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Vollrath, F. Altered geometry of webs in spiders with regenerated legs. Nature 328, 247–248 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1038/328247a0
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/328247a0
This article is cited by
-
Unique behavioural modifications in the web structure of the cave orb spider Meta menardi (Araneae, Tetragnathidae)
Scientific Reports (2021)
-
Orb-web spiders as Bayesian learners
The Science of Nature (2019)
-
Extended spider cognition
Animal Cognition (2017)
-
Does building activity influence web construction and web characteristics in the orb-web spider Zygiella x-notata (Araneae, Araneidae)?
Zoological Studies (2014)
-
Web-Building Flexibility Differs in Two Spatially Constrained Orb Spiders
Journal of Insect Behavior (2013)
Comments
By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.
