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Redback Somersault Gene Found; Hybrid Threatens Native Katipo

8/12/2026

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Summary

Story summary

German researchers reported that the self-sacrificial somersault of male redback spiders is linked to a specific region on the X chromosome.
The finding was published in Biology Letters on Wednesday.
Crossing female katipo with male redbacks produced third-generation offspring, about half of which also somersaulted.
Researchers warned that interbreeding between native katipo and invasive redbacks could threaten the protected endemic spider.

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Story summary

German researchers reported that the self-sacrificial somersault of male redback spiders is linked to a specific region on the X chromosome.
The finding was published in Biology Letters on Wednesday.
Crossing female katipo with male redbacks produced third-generation offspring, about half of which also somersaulted.
Researchers warned that interbreeding between native katipo and invasive redbacks could threaten the protected endemic spider.