Decoding the locational information in the orb web vibrations ofAraneus diadematusandZygiella x-notata
Abstract
A spider's web is a multifunctional structure that captures prey and provides an information platform that transmits vibrational information. Many physical factors interact to influence web vibration and information content, from vibration source properties and input location, to web physical properties and geometry. The aim of the study was to test whether orb web vibration contains information about the location of the source of vibration. We used finite-element analysis model webs to control and vary major physical factors, investigating webs where spiders use a direct or remote monitoring strategy. When monitoring with eight sensors (legs) at the web centre, a comparison of longitudinal and transverse wave amplitude between the sensors gave sufficient information to determine source direction and distance, respectively. These localization cues were robust to changes in source amplitude, input angle and location, with increased accuracy at lower source amplitudes. When remotely monitoring the web using a single thread connected to the web's hub (a signal thread), we found that locational information was not available when the angle of the source input was unknown. Furthermore, a free sector and a stiff hub were physical mechanisms to aid information transfer, which provides insights for bioinspired fibre networks for sensing technologies.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Pub Defense Publication
- Publication Date
- May 01, 2019
- Source ID
- 10.1098/rsif.2019.0201
Entities
People
- A. Soler
- Beth Mortimer
- F. Vollrath
- L. Wilkins
Organizations
- Air Force Office of Scientific Research
- Jesus College
- Leverhulme Trust
- Royal Commission for the Exhibition of 1851
- Universidad Carlos III de Madrid
- University of Bristol
- University of Oxford