Recent studies have shown that the “aggressive gene” mutations in certain female spider species may cause them to swallow the “groom” before mating.
Previously, scientists have proposed some evolutionary theories to explain why many female spiders have mating eating behaviors, such as: swallowing male spouses after mating can supplement large amounts of nutrients, or get rid of unpopular males. For males, their sacrifices ensure that the genes continue. Some spider species, after male mating, will leave tentacles (equivalent to the penis of the spider) in the female body, like the axillary “scorpion band”, avoiding Other males mate with it.
However, the advantage of spider mating eating behavior is not obvious. Some “virgin” female spiders will indiscriminately swallow potential male spiders and will not give males a chance to mate.
Researchers at the Spanish Barren Regional Experimental Station (EEZA) plan to test whether female spiders have certain personality traits, such as aggressive attacks. Research leader Ruben Rabaneda-Bueno said that although docile female spiders attack “inferior” males, they tend to mate with “superior” males; aggressive female spiders, regardless of The situation will kill males, confirm their powerful ability, and indiscriminately eat male spiders.
Bueno and colleagues studied 99 males and 80 female Lycosa hispanica who evaluated these female spiders and labeled them as docile or aggressive after observing how they responded to beetles and other prey.
If they have a greedy appetite, they are marked as aggressive and will be more massive than other similar types. These female spiders (all unmatured) were then placed together with the males. The results showed that the docile female spiders would interfere with the male spouse before attacking the male spouse. However, the aggressive female spiders swallowed the males before they were mated. .
