Evolutionary switch in Pholcus phalangioides from silk secretions forming solid fibres to soft aqueous adhesives

The goal was to elucidate the evolutionary switch in Pholcus phalangioides from spider silk secretions forming solid fibres to soft aqueous adhesives. Understanding the underlying molecular basis for radical switches in material properties helps to better understand the evolutionary origins and versatility of ecologically impactful spider web architectures, but also informs the bioengineering of spider silk-based products with tailored properties.Four different Pholcus phalangioides tissue types were extracted and RNA-sequenced then compared to elucidate differences in tissue expression. This tissue types sequenced include whole abdomen extracts, pooled silk glands extracts, small piriform gland extracts and large piriform gland extracts.