Male redback's bizarre death somersault during sex is in its genes

What it is about

Who published it, and when

How it spread - 4 original reports

1. Tue, 11 August 2026

   1 report
   • ABC News (Australia)23:08first to report
     Male redback's bizarre death somersault during sex is in its genes

     Male redback spiders somersault onto the female's fangs while mating and are killed. Researchers cross-bred the Aussie spiders with their NZ cousins to find out why.

2. Wed, 12 August 2026

   1 report
   • The Guardian World00:17edited after publishing
     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 updates Get our breaking news email , free app or daily news podcast If 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...

3. Fri, 14 August 2026

   1 report
   • Times of India16:00
     Male redback spiders somersault directly towards a female’s fangs during mating

     Recent research uncovers that a singular genetic region governs the intricate somersaulting behavior of male redback spiders during mating rituals. This fascinating behavior, crucial for reproduction, is inherited through the X chromosome. Experimental hybrids indicate that this somersault characteristic is not only recessive but also X-linked. Conversely, abdominal narrowing seems influenced by a combination of multiple genes and environmental conditions, challenging traditional views on the...

4. Wed, 19 August 2026

   1 report
   • Die Zeit (Germany)03:30
     Tiere: Schwarze-Witwe-Männchen vererben Trick gegen Tod beim Sex