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12 August 2026

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

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Source reporting: The Guardian World

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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 insect’s ‘weird mating behaviour’ Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates Male redbacks appear to invite this cannibalism through a “self-sacrificial somersault”, with new research shedding light on the genetic basis of the behaviour.

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The prime minister tells the Guardian that last year’s diplomatic rift with ally New Zealand could be on voters’ minds as they head to the polls As voters in the Cook Islands prepare to head to the polls in a high-stakes general election, they will have much to reflect on. Over recent years, politics in this small island nation has been defined by fierce debates about deep-sea mining , diplomatic rifts with ally New Zealand and a major reshaping of the country’s foreign partnerships. In an exclusive interview with the Guardian, days before Wednesday’s poll, Cook Islands prime minister Mark Brown defended his four-year term and the decisions he made that have seen this South Pacific nation of 17,000 people pushed into the international limelight, turning it into a battleground for influence between Beijing and western powers .

Source: The Guardian WorldOriginal source