Sneaky Copulation Sexual mimicry

salaria pavo female



salaria pavo male

sneaky copulation strategy used many aquatic organisms portray sexual mimicry. several studies have found small male fish , behave female of species in order gain access female territory , copulate them. in blenniidae family, salaria pavo, female bleniid fish show specific colour pattern , movement when want approach male , copulate him. male guards territory, , when female lays eggs, parental male protects territory until eggs hatch. second type of males, sneaker males, parasitic , resembles female bleniid fish in small size, colour, , movement patterns. allows them intrude nest guarded parental males. sneaker males approach nests same colour patterns , movements females hold. cases of sneaker males seen when there female inside nest although sneaker fish enters nest alongside female. species of fish releases sperm before female releases eggs water making possible sneaker fish fertilize egg, if female not present in nest.

sepia apama

in sepiina family, sepia apama, known cuttlefish, have males large , able guard female’s nest while other males small , resemble females in order sneak in copulations. in giant cuttlefish, male courts female , transfers sperm pouch below female’s beak. during process, female displays body pattern of black splotches on white background. once eggs laid, male guards nest possible suitors , opponents. ‘second female’ seen during male-female interaction in close proximity couple. female-looking cuttlefish has same black blotches real female. if male leaves fight other males, individual approaches female , copulates her, success. however, in absence of rivals, these mimicking female males display phenotype of mature male.