Male redback spiders invite cannibalism through a ‘self-sacrificial somersault’ during sex – but why?

New research sheds light on the genetic basis of the venomous arachnid’s ‘weird mating behaviour’Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastIf you think you’ve had a bad one-night stand, spare a thought for the male redback spider, whose sole reproductive partner eats him after sex.Male redbacks appear to invite this cannibalism through a “self-sacrificial somersault”, with new research shedding light on the genetic basis of the behaviour. Continue reading...