In at least some species, the male also provisions his offspring with nutrients such as glucose and amino acids through the highly vascularized attachment sites in or on his body. Many species osmoregulate the brood pouch fluid to maintain proper pH for the developing embryos. After implantation in or on the brood pouch or brood patch, the male incubates the eggs. Although biologists' definitions of pregnancy differ somewhat, all members of the family are considered by ichthyologists to display male pregnancy, even those without an external brood pouch.įertilization may take place in the pouch or in the water before implantation, but in either case, syngnathids' male pregnancy ensures them complete confidence of paternity. The males of some of these species possess a brood pouch on the trunk or tail in other species, the eggs are merely attached to the male's trunk or tail when the female lays them. Included in Syngnathidae are seahorses, the pipefish, and the weedy and leafy seadragons.
The family is highly diverse, containing around 300 different species of fish. The fish family Syngnathidae has the unique characteristic of a highly derived form of male brood care referred to as "male pregnancy".
Further information: Syngnathidae and Seahorse
0 kommentar(er)
