Inter- and Intraspecific Variation in Web Architecture and Its Significance in Australian Funnel-Web Spiders...

Web building is a defining trait of spiders, encompassing a remarkable diversity of architectures and functions. However, the order Mygalomorphae remains underrepresented compared to Araneomorphae, with limited research on their structural diversity and function. Mygalomorph designs provide valuable insights into the evolution of web-building and silk use in spiders. In this study, we described and quantified inter- and intraspecific variation in web architecture across three Atracidae species: Hadronyche cerberea, H. versuta and the Atrax robustus complex. Our research represents the first quantitative characterisation of web architecture within Atracidae. Using image-based morphometric analysis, we quantified structural traits that statistically differentiated web designs among species. In addition, we refined previous descriptions of their web structures through detailed qualitative accounts and schematic diagrams to enhance species identification and understanding of web architecture. Collectively, our findings revealed clear qualitative and quantitative differences among species, with several structural traits responsible for these variations. These results provide a foundation for exploring the ecological drivers and functional significance of web diversity in Atracidae, contributing to a broader understanding of mygalomorph evolution and behaviour.