Friday Weird Sex Blogging - Penis Fencing : A Blog Around The Clock

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My scientific specialty is chronobiology (circadian rhythms and photoperiodism), with additional interests in comparative physiology, animal behavior and evolution. I am not an MD so I cannot diagnose and treat your sleep problems. As well as writing this blog, I am also the Online Discussion Expert for PLoS. This is a personal blog and opinions within it in no way reflect the policies of PLoS. You can contact me at: Coturnix@gmail.com

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Friday Weird Sex Blogging - Penis Fencing

Category: Friday Weird Sex Blogging • Sex
Posted on: June 30, 2006 9:59 AM, by Coturnix

Some flatworms, for instance these pretty Pseudobiceros hancockanus, engage in penis fencing. Both individuals are hermaphrodites, i.e., have both male and female organs. The penis is white, pointed and two-headed. Both individuals are trying to inseminate the other. The one who is inseminated has to bear and lay eggs - a more expensive proposition. The one who "won" the fencing bout and did the insemination can move on and fence some other guys and on and on, "fathering" many progeny until happenning onto a better fencer, getting inseminated, and spending the rest of the life as "mother".

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Friday Ark #94 from Modulator
We'll post links to sites that have Friday (plus or minus a few days) photos of their chosen animals (photoshops at our discretion and humans only in supporting roles). Watch the Exception category for rocks, beer, coffee cups, and....? We will add you... Read More
Tracked on July 7, 2006 3:15 AM

Comments

for real, 'hancockanus'? it strains one's capacity for belief...

why oh why is there not a video?

Posted by: r@d@r | June 30, 2006 5:02 PM

I wonder how that behaviour would combine with the morphology of the New Zealand multivirile flatworm - 220 odd penises either side would make for some interesting fights

Posted by: David Winter | July 1, 2006 3:22 AM

Yup, scientists have a sense of humor and often use it when naming species.

David, thank you - that one goes into my folder of ideas for future installments of Friday Weird Sex Blogging.

Posted by: coturnix | July 1, 2006 12:22 PM