Monday, February 1, 2010

RANDOM EXCERPT FROM "DEEP BLUE HOME:" THE TRUTH ABOUT BARNACLES




















"Not only are barnacles hermaphrodites, with two sets of genitalia, they are also in possession of the longest penis in relation to body size of any animal on Earth, up to eight times their body length. When the mood is right and the waters begin to warm the tiny creatures snake their appendages out their doors to fertilize the eggs of their neighbors. The favor is reciprocated by the same neighbor, by a different one, or by many. Barnacles living alone fertilize themselves."

Chapter 8
The Unreefed World

Photo by Christopher Neufeld at LiveScience

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