Bean weevil penis. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of the tip of a male bean weevil's (Callosobruchus maculatus) penis. It is covered in hard spines,which unfold in the female's genital tract during copulation. The spines penetrate the lining of the tract,leaving numerous puncture wounds. Mating is costly for the female; if she copulates with more than one male,she incurs extensive damage and so dies early. The male's spiny penis therefore increases his chances of siring all of the female's eggs. It may also increase the number of eggs she lays. Magnification unknown | |
Lizenzart: | Lizenzpflichtig |
Credit: | Science Photo Library / Power And Syred |
Bildgröße: | 3500 px × 2424 px |
Modell-Rechte: | nicht erforderlich |
Eigentums-Rechte: | nicht erforderlich |
Restrictions: | - |