Which spider species produces the toughest known silk?

Which spider species produces the toughest known silk?

• A. Darwin's bark spider
• B. Golden orb-weaver
• C. Wolf spider
• D. Black widow

Answer: (A)

The trait being tested is the toughness of spider silk—the amount of energy a fiber can absorb before it breaks, which comes from a balance of strength and how much it can stretch. Darwin's bark spider produces dragline silk that is exceptionally tough, meaning it can absorb a lot of energy before breaking. This remarkable toughness is what lets its webs span large gaps and endure the forces of prey struggles and wind without snapping. The silk achieves this through its protein composition and the way the spider spins it, yielding a material that is both strong and highly extensible. Among known spider silks, this one stands out for the overall energy absorption it provides, making it the best answer. Other spider silks tend to excel in different aspects—some may be very strong, others very sticky or specialized for capture—but they don’t reach the same level of toughness as Darwin's bark spider dragline silk.

The trait being tested is the toughness of spider silk—the amount of energy a fiber can absorb before it breaks, which comes from a balance of strength and how much it can stretch. Darwin's bark spider produces dragline silk that is exceptionally tough, meaning it can absorb a lot of energy before breaking. This remarkable toughness is what lets its webs span large gaps and endure the forces of prey struggles and wind without snapping. The silk achieves this through its protein composition and the way the spider spins it, yielding a material that is both strong and highly extensible. Among known spider silks, this one stands out for the overall energy absorption it provides, making it the best answer.

Other spider silks tend to excel in different aspects—some may be very strong, others very sticky or specialized for capture—but they don’t reach the same level of toughness as Darwin's bark spider dragline silk.