The benefit of behavior

The spider-eating spiders give it more offspring than the " benevolent " mother spider. In addition, their descendants are also stronger and bigger.

" Now we know that eating mates after mating is a good behavior for females, at least in spiders, " said Dr. Jordi Moya-Larano, expert of the Natural Resources Research Council. Spanish national nature (EEZA), said.

In the process of studying large black spider species in the Mediterranean, Jordi and colleagues found that female spiders often eat male spider meat after having " rained clouds " with another guy. In addition, the act of cuping always takes place when the male spider approaches her to flirt. This means that meat-eating behavior only occurs after the mother's spider knows that all of their eggs have been fertilized.

Some previous studies suggest that male spiders sacrifice themselves for the benefit of the next generation. But Jordi claims that, at least in spiders, males are unfortunate victims and only children benefit.

A female spider belonging to the tarantula Lycosa species eats male meat after mating. (Photo: Reuters)

To investigate male carnivorous behavior in large Mediterranean black spider species, scientists followed them in the laboratory. Sometimes they take the males out of their children's teeth before they're eaten.

"In large black spiders, about one-third of females kill males after meeting. The larger the number of male spiders, the greater the number of carnivorous cases. Spiders tend to attack males that flirt with them later. when mating with another guy, so the cup always takes place before the less fortunate male has a chance to meet , "the team concluded.

Jordi said that the number of children in each egg of the carnivorous spider is about 30% more than that of the non-carnivorous spiders. The carnivorous spider mates give birth sooner than those who do not eat meat. Their descendants are also stronger, separating the herd earlier and having a larger size. Thus, less fortunate males sacrificed their lives to benefit others' children

Many scientists once thought that " bloodthirsty " females were often more aggressive and better hunted so their descendants were stronger and bigger. But when Jordi and his co-workers saved male spiders right in their children's mouths, the girls only gave birth to children like the descendants of the moth-eating spider. This proves that male meat is an important source of nutrition for maternal spiders .