Pharaoh cuttlefish (Sepia pharaonis) mating. The male at centre is protecting the egg-laying female (left) from a rival male (right). The dark stripes and raised arms are threat displays. Like all cuttlefish,it can rapidly change the colour and texture of its skin. It uses this for camouflage and communication. During mating,the male places a spermatophore,a sac containing sperm,in a pouch by the female's mouth. The spermatophore then bursts,releasing sperm into the female's mantle cavity,where it fertilises the eggs. The eggs are then laid individually,being fixed to hard surfaces. Photographed in the Andaman Sea,Thailand | |
Lizenzart: | Lizenzpflichtig |
Credit: | Science Photo Library / Douwma, Georgette |
Bildgröße: | 5080 px × 3441 px |
Modell-Rechte: | nicht erforderlich |
Eigentums-Rechte: | nicht erforderlich |
Restrictions: | - |