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Biology Issues - March 2009

The genitalia of Callosobruchus

March 13th 2009 07:46
Callosobruchus is a genus of beetles known for their genitalia, which include some very unpleasant looking pieces of kit. The sexual organs of males are covered in spines, and these are used to cling onto females during copulation.

Spines on the phallus of C. maculatus. Image from National Geographic


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Homosexuality in flour beetles

March 12th 2009 08:44
The existence of homosexual behaviour is a much discussed issue in evolutionary biology. Recently, scientists uncovered the likely reason for it in flour beetles. It appears that males can actually gan a reproductive advantage by mounting other males. They dribble sperm onto the other male, who in turn goes off and mates with females. However, while doing so, he may be passing on the sperm of the male that mounted him.


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