Sexual cannibalism could benefit male praying mantis - Australian Geographic
When a female praying mantis eats the male after mating, it's a good thing for the male. In evolutionary terms, at least.
www.australiangeographic.com.au
SEXUAL CANNIBALISM AMONG female praying mantids may actually benefit males, in an evolutionary sense, according to a new study.
The research suggests that when a male mantis is eaten by the female after mating, more of the male’s body material is passed into the female, and in turn, a higher number of eggs are laid.
Evolutionary reasons for sexual cannibalism:
1. Sexual cannibalism may arise strictly as an adaptive foraging strategy, providing females with nutrients that increase survival and/or fecundity.”
2. Genetic hypothesis: “If males sire more, or ‘fitter’, offspring as a result of sexual cannibalism, and if males have little or no chance of mating again, the benefits of being cannibalised may far outweigh the loss of future mating opportunities,” Kate said.
