• AntiOutsideAktion [he/him]@hexbear.netEnglish
    7·
    17 days ago

    The cyclical nature of his punishment reminded the authors of the circular copulatory tube of the spider.[2] There is a 2nd meaning in this naming, however; female Sisyphus’ copulatory tubes evolved in this way due to a reproductive arms race between the male and female members of the species, the females growing longer and more winding tubes while the males grow longer and more winding corresponding appendages, an eternal task, akin to that of Sisyphus

    you’d think evolutionary forces would drive development of sex parts to make sex easier not harder

    • PKMKII [none/use name]@hexbear.netEnglish
      8·
      17 days ago

      It’s not unique to these spiders; a similar thing evolved with ducks. I think it’s a trade-off in species where the males tend to be, aggressive in their mating attempts. More complicated female sex organs makes it more difficult for the males to mate, which dissuades them, which means the females are spending less energy dealing with and recovering from the males mating attempts. Which then puts an evolutionary pressure on the males to develop longer/more complicated organs to match.