Description

Overview:

If you are stuck to a rock it is tricky to get close enough to a partner to mate. One solution to this problem would be to release eggs or sperm into the open water, which is what many animals in this situation do. Acorn barnacles (Semibalanus balanoides), however, found a different solution. They have evolved the longest penis relative to their body size of any animal. In this video the penises of several barnacles are probing the neighborhood for mates. The penis is re-grown each mating season.

Subject:

Biology, Zoology

Level:

Middle School, High School, Community College / Lower Division, College / Upper Division

Material Type:

Lecture, Reading

Provider:

Dunn Lab at Brown University

Provider Set:

CreatureCast

Date Added:

11/06/2009