Spiders’ egg sacs are made up of multiple types of spider silk and offer protection to developing embryos and spiderlings. Egg sacs exhibit extreme diversity across species in shape, color, texture, and placement, and little is currently known about the importance of these variations for appropriate spider development.
I am interested in studying the effect of egg sac variations on the insulative properties, permeability, and other protective mechanisms of egg sac silk barriers related to their environmental or predatory threats.
Skills you will acquire:
Knowledge about spider biology
Knowledge about spider silk
Field experience
Research experience
Scientific reading/writing
Click here for more information about Dr. Blackledge’s research.
