Biologists from Queensland University of Technology (Australia) discovered that marsupial mice living in the southwestern and northern parts of Australia begin to eat their relatives when breeding becomes dangerous. The results of the scientific study were announced published In Australian Mammal Journal.
These mice usually feed on a variety of insects and spiders, and sometimes eat small vertebrates such as birds or lizards. They are known for their suicidal breeding. Females of this species tend to mate with more than one male in a season when food abundance is so short that the males cannot withstand the competition created and die of exhaustion.
According to scientists, levels of the stress hormone cortisol increase during the breeding season. At the same time, the release of testosterone in men causes disruption of the biological mechanism that reduces cortisol levels. This leads to systemic organ failure and death, but this only occurs after the male has impregnated more females.
When winter comes after the mating season and food becomes scarce, animals begin to eat their dead relatives in order to survive and feed their offspring.
Previous scientists EstablishedHow does sperm microbiota affect male fertility?