高山環境是探討生物演化的良好場所。本研究之目的之一為利用系統化及定量之採集法調查台灣高山及低海拔地區蜘蛛相，並以其形態特徵進行分類，建立台灣高山及低海拔地區之蜘蛛族群多樣性保育基礎資料。再依不同的主要棲地類型，比較蜘蛛族群聚結構之差異，探討其與不同地區之特殊氣候因子的關係。目的之二為藉比較台灣高山及低海拔地區之蜘蛛絲基因，探討高山地區之特殊氣候因子及地理阻隔模式如何影響絲基因之演化，並藉蜘蛛絲特性之分析比較嘗試了解不同高山地區蜘蛛絲基因之組成與結構和高山生態環境間之關聯為何。 High mountains are unique ecosystems in Taiwan and the environmental conditions in such habitats are harsh to inhabiting organisms. High mountain ecosystems are characterized by dramatic temperature changes, low concentration of oxygen, frequent strong wind and intensive UV radiation. Such unique ecosystems provide a good opportunity to study adaptation of organisms inhabiting such harsh environments. Spiders use several kinds of silk glands to produce silks for various purposes, and these silks exhibit different composition and properties. Composed of protein fibers, spider silk has higher strength and elasticity than most of artificial fibers. During the evolution of Araneae, there were several major changes in the silk synthesis systems. Under strong selection pressures, a high diversity in molecular structures, physical properties and ecological functions of silks is generated. Spiders exhibit high species diversity and they can be further classified into various foraging guilds according to their prey catching behaviors. Currently, it is not clear whether the silks in different foraging guilds differ in chemical composition, physical properties and molecular structures. Nor do we realize whether the harsh environmental conditions in high mountains facilitate the evolution of silks with special properties. The first goal of this study is to quantitatively collect and compare the spider diversity in high and low elevation areas in Taiwan. We will also measure various environmental variables to realize factors responsible for the differences in spider diversities between habitats of various elevations. The second goal of this study is to investigate the evolution of silk genes of spiders inhabiting high mountains. We will compare the molecular structures, physical properties and ecological functions of silks produced by species inhabiting low and high elevation habitats. Results of this study will help realize how the unique alpine ecosystems may have shaped the composition and structure of spider silks.
