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Deadly Spider Demands Long Courtship, or Else
discovery ^
| Oct. 21, 2009
| Jennifer Viegas
Posted on 10/22/2009 12:44:36 PM PDT by JoeProBono
Females of the Australian redback spider, one of the world's most poisonous spiders and a close relative to the black widow, demand 100 minutes of courting or else they usually cannibalize their male suitors, research finds.
Proving that bigger isn't always better in the mating game, the tiniest of males sometimes approach female redbacks after offering the critical 100 minutes of wooing and successfully mate without being eaten, according to the paper in the latest Proceedings of the Royal Society B.
The study shows that puny males of this species can win at love without exerting much effort and begins to explain the extreme size differences between males and females among some spider species.
"Based upon our data of the timing of premature lethal cannibalism, it appears as though females are not tuned to select male size, but rather the duration of courtship," co-author Jeffrey Stoltz told Discovery News.
TOPICS: Pets/Animals; Science; Society
KEYWORDS: courtship; foreplay; jpb; spider
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To: Jewbacca
21
posted on
10/22/2009 1:27:04 PM PDT
by
JoeProBono
(A closed mouth gathers no feet)
To: JoeProBono
I'm betting the small male spiders have lots of money and drive a Ferrari.
Regards,
TS
You posted this thread just so you could post the pic at 15 didn't you? Who is she and what did she do to you?
22
posted on
10/22/2009 1:29:35 PM PDT
by
The Shrew
(www.wintersoldier.com; www.tstrs.com; The Truth Shall Set You Free!)
To: JoeProBono
Which just proves once again: “It isn’t the size of the ship but the motion in the ocean.....”
To: JoeProBono
Gadzooks Batman!....She looks like she needs a spanking!
To: AngelesCrestHighway
To: JoeProBono
However....speaking of RedBack...
If you ever find yourself in Perth/Fremantle...
Redback Beer.
Best.
Beer.
Ever.
Wish you could get in here in USA!
26
posted on
10/22/2009 2:01:00 PM PDT
by
NorCoGOP
(Recession: friend loses his job. Depression: You lose your job. Recovery: Obama loses his job.)
To: JoeProBono
Gerta!....You vil like it or else!...
To: The Shrew
28
posted on
10/22/2009 2:05:29 PM PDT
by
JoeProBono
(A closed mouth gathers no feet)
To: JoeProBono
O.K.!....that did it!...I’m logging off! My dinner is ruined!
To: JoeProBono
I take it you don't have a Ferrari?
Regards,
TS
30
posted on
10/22/2009 2:08:10 PM PDT
by
The Shrew
(www.wintersoldier.com; www.tstrs.com; The Truth Shall Set You Free!)
To: JoeProBono
Yeah! Like that could get up the side of a building!
To: JoeProBono
Shame on you. Now go sit in the corner!
32
posted on
10/22/2009 2:10:08 PM PDT
by
MaxMax
(Obama can't play in the Olympic reindeer games)
To: The Shrew
33
posted on
10/22/2009 2:13:04 PM PDT
by
JoeProBono
(A closed mouth gathers no feet)
To: JoeProBono
100 minutes? That’s a short movie and a quick burger.
Works for me....sometimes...
34
posted on
10/22/2009 4:38:02 PM PDT
by
Moltke
(DOPE will get you 4 to 8 in the Big House - HOPE will get you 4 to 8 in the White House.)
To: Jewbacca
Holy CRAP!...is that genuine???
35
posted on
10/22/2009 10:25:26 PM PDT
by
grey_whiskers
(The opinions are solely those of the author and are subject to change without notice.)
To: JoeProBono; Pistolshot
36
posted on
10/22/2009 10:31:07 PM PDT
by
grey_whiskers
(The opinions are solely those of the author and are subject to change without notice.)
To: parsifal
Like, *PING* to post 15 -- you have often said you are afraid of women.
Was this "The One" who traumatized you so badly ? ;-)
Cheers!
37
posted on
10/22/2009 10:32:27 PM PDT
by
grey_whiskers
(The opinions are solely those of the author and are subject to change without notice.)
To: Daffynition
38
posted on
10/22/2009 10:35:59 PM PDT
by
JoeProBono
(A closed mouth gathers no feet)
Comment #39 Removed by Moderator
To: grey_whiskers
Yes, that is Michelle’s dress from the convention.
Black widow symbolism was only lost on those who did not know.
40
posted on
10/23/2009 7:33:09 AM PDT
by
Jewbacca
(The residents of Iroquois territory may not determine whether Jews may live in Jerusalem.)
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