Sex--Spiders have it, too. It produces life and also takes it away, for many female spiders devour their male counterparts after intercourse.
That is why it was thought the reason male spiders often left pieces of their genitalia behind was due to make a quick getaway (to avoid being the post-sex munchies).
A new study, conducted by the University of Bonn, Germany, shows that the detached sex organ prevents other males from having sex with the same female. It ensures no competition will interfere with the original male's lineage.
According to Gabriele Uhl, one of the researchers, the study also slightly debunks the idea of a quickie in hopes of saving a life.
Male spiders have two independent sets of sex organs that allow them to reproduce (say it really fast). In layman's terms, the males can have sex twice before they are no good to do anymore damage. After that, males are less likely to flee, as their main purpose in life is to reproduce. The study shows that second-timers practically offer themselves up as a snack.
Generally, the quick run is only pulled-off by the first-time "inseminators," seeing themselves as having a bit more love to give. But even they are not excused from the appetite of the exhausted and much larger females.
Maybe human wives would prefer their useless husbands to owe up to their shortcomings, as well.
Information for this post was obtained from Roxanne Khamsi's article "'Chastity Belts' Block Rival Sperm in Female Spiders."
