2009年8月26日 星期三

雌性鼠魚藉由吞飲精液再由消化道排出以確保有效授精

文獻來源: Kohda M, Tanimura M, Kikue-Nakamura M, Yamagishi S. 2009. Sperm drinking by female catfishes: a novel mode of insemination. Environmental Biology of Fishes 42(1): 1-6.

Abstract
We report on unique reproductive behaviour and a new mode of egg insemination in a small catfish Corydoras aeneus (Callichthyidae). A male courts a female by presenting his abdomen to her. Before releasing eggs, the female attaches her mouth to the male''s genital opening and directly drinks his sperm. The sperm pass through her intestine and are discharged together with eggs into the lsquopouchrsquo formed by her pelvic fins. Thus, eggs are mixed with fresh non-dispersed sperm in an enclosed space, ensuring effective insemination. This mode of insemination is novel to fishes, but is likely not restricted to catfishes of the genus Corydoras.