Cephalo-traumatic secretion transfer in a hermaphrodite sea slug
Lange, R.; Werminghausen, J.; Anthes, N. (2014). Cephalo-traumatic secretion transfer in a hermaphrodite sea slug. Proc. - Royal Soc., Biol. Sci. 281(1774): 6 pp. http://dx.doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2013.2424
In: Proceedings of the Royal Society of London. Series B. The Royal Society: London. ISSN 0962-8452; e-ISSN 1471-2954, more
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| Keywords |
Opisthobranchia [WoRMS]
Marine/Coastal |
| Author keywords |
hermaphrodite hypodermic impregnation Opisthobranchia traumatic mating sexual selection stylet |
| Authors | | Top |
- Lange, R.
- Werminghausen, J.
- Anthes, N.
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| Abstract |
Mating rituals in the animal kingdom are often quite extraordinary, in particular when mating is traumatic. We here describe the exceptional traumatic mating behaviour of the currently undescribed sea slug, Siphopteron sp. 1. Similar to four congeners, Siphopteron sp. 1 routinely exhibits traumatic secretion transfer through a stylet-like penis appendage. Contrary to previous descriptions, however, prostate secretions are injected centrally into the partner's forehead, representing, to our knowledge, the first-known instance of ‘cephalo-traumatic secretion transfer’. We further provide a comparative quantification of within- and between-species variation in injection sites and derive a potential neurophysiological function of prostate secretions that are injected close to, or into, the central nervous system. |
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