MadSci Network: General Biology
Query:

Re: Can some female fish store sperm?

Date: Wed Apr 17 13:28:33 2002
Posted By: David Hubble, Staff, Life & Environmental Sciences, University of Nottingham
Area of science: General Biology
ID: 1018923419.Gb
Message:

Hi Krystal

I assume you already know a bit about your guppies - e.g. they are 
livebearing (viviparous) with the male using a modified anal fin 
(gonopodium) to inseminate the female.

Female guppies are indeed able to store sperm (in an organ called the 
spermatheca), and can produce up to 8 broods of young from a single 
insemination. The gestational period is about four weeks for most 
livebearing species, including the common aquarium species and females can 
store sperm for several months - so she may well have more births yet!

I hope that answers your question

Dr Dave Hubble
Southampton
UK


Current Queue | Current Queue for General Biology | General Biology archives

Try the links in the MadSci Library for more information on General Biology.



MadSci Home | Information | Search | Random Knowledge Generator | MadSci Archives | Mad Library | MAD Labs | MAD FAQs | Ask a ? | Join Us! | Help Support MadSci


MadSci Network, webadmin@www.madsci.org
© 1995-2002. All rights reserved.