Forum: Internet Links
Topic: new species fucks itself half to death every year
started by: Malcolm

Posted by Malcolm on Jun. 02 2015,10:35
< No, literally >.
QUOTE
"The breeding period is basically two to three weeks of speed-mating, with testosterone-fueled males coupling with as many females as possible, for up to 14 hours at a time," researcher Andrew Baker said in a statement Monday. "Ultimately, the testosterone triggers a malfunction in the stress hormone shut-off switch; the resulting rise in stress hormones causes the males' immune systems to collapse and they all drop dead before the females give birth to a single baby."

Posted by Leisher on Jun. 02 2015,10:58
I think I have found my spirit animal.
Posted by TPRJones on Jun. 02 2015,11:12
There's a couple of other rodent species that do that same thing.  I can't remember which ones, though.
Posted by Malcolm on Jun. 02 2015,11:19
< There's a term for it >.
QUOTE
Semelparity is also known as "big bang" reproduction, since the single reproductive event of semelparous organisms is usually large as well as fatal.

Posted by GORDON on Jun. 02 2015,13:53
Don't praying manti count in that category?  Half of the breeding pairs don't survive mating.
Posted by Malcolm on Jun. 02 2015,14:53

(GORDON @ Jun. 02 2015,15:53)
QUOTE
Don't praying manti count in that category?  Half of the breeding pairs don't survive mating.

That's different.  That's sexual cannibalism.  This is where the male expends so much energy, his immune system gives out.
Posted by Vince on Jun. 02 2015,15:53
Geckos need to be separated after mating because the male will keep chasing after the female and often is so focused on continuing to mount her he starves to death.

Out in the wild the outdoors is big enough that she can get away and he remembers to eat.

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