Barnacles go to great lengths to mate
Published: Feb. 7, 2008 at 10:29 AM
EDMONTON, Alberta, Feb. 7 (UPI) -- Canadian researchers have discovered barnacles have evolved the longest penis of any animal their size -- up to eight times their body length.
The scientists said barnacles -- compelled to mate, yet firmly attached to rocks -- developed the large penis in order to find and fertilize distant neighbors.
University of Alberta Professor Richard Palmer and graduate student Christopher Neufeld have shown that barnacles can change the size and shape of their penises to closely match local wave conditions. When wave action is light, a longer (thinner) penis can reach more mates but, at times of higher wave action, a shorter (stouter) penis is more maneuverable in the flow, they said.
The researchers said their findings suggest sexual selection -- competition with other males, female choice and sexual conflict between males and females -- isn't required to explain variation in genital form since, in barnacles, that variation appears to be driven largely by the hydrodynamic conditions experienced under breaking waves.
The study is reported in the Proceedings of the Royal Society B.
The scientists said barnacles -- compelled to mate, yet firmly attached to rocks -- developed the large penis in order to find and fertilize distant neighbors.
University of Alberta Professor Richard Palmer and graduate student Christopher Neufeld have shown that barnacles can change the size and shape of their penises to closely match local wave conditions. When wave action is light, a longer (thinner) penis can reach more mates but, at times of higher wave action, a shorter (stouter) penis is more maneuverable in the flow, they said.
The researchers said their findings suggest sexual selection -- competition with other males, female choice and sexual conflict between males and females -- isn't required to explain variation in genital form since, in barnacles, that variation appears to be driven largely by the hydrodynamic conditions experienced under breaking waves.
The study is reported in the Proceedings of the Royal Society B.
© 2008 United Press International. All Rights Reserved.
This material may not be reproduced, redistributed, or manipulated in any form.
This material may not be reproduced, redistributed, or manipulated in any form.
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