In tiny Amazon frogs, males observed extracting oocytes from females killed in mating struggles
Tuesday, February 19, 2013 - 09:00
in Biology & Nature
Sex is a risky business for many animals. Those who take part in 'explosive breeding' -- where many males gather and compete for a small number of females over a few days -- have it particularly tough. Males can become exhausted from the competition and search for a scarce mate, or from trying to dislodge other males from receptive females. The females themselves can be unintentionally crushed, drowned or simply exhausted under the weight of their many suitors.