Sexual conflict theory—the idea that traits beneficial to the reproductive success of individuals of one sex can damage individuals of the other sex, resulting in coevolutionary arms races of offenses and defenses—has been applied almost exclusively to understanding sexual interactions among insects. Male reproductive organs of some species, such as water striders, possess penile spines that damage the female reproductive tract during mating. Black widow spiders cannibalize their mates after copulation if they fail to flee fast enough, using male bodies as meals for their offspring. Male fruit
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