Evolution: Sex and cannibalism in redback spiders

Matthew J. G. Gage

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

5 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Female redback spiders cannibalise mating males. New research has shown they have evolved two separate sperm storage organs, allowing them to make post-copulatory paternity choices. Counter-adaptation by males, to maximise paternity after cannibalism, has led to the evolution of an abdominal constricting mechanism, which enhances short-term survival and mating success after attack by the female and maximises the chances of inseminating both sperm storage sites.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)630-632
Number of pages3
JournalCurrent Biology
Volume15
Issue number16
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2005

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