Keywords
modified papillae
palps and spines
male genital apparatus
spermatophore
sexual selection
onicóforo macho
papilas modificadas
palpos y espinas
aparato genital masculino
espermatóforo
selección sexual
How to Cite
Abstract
Males of some Australian onychophorans transfer their spermatophores with spectacular structures in their head, such as pits with palps and spines. No one has explained why these structures allow this species to be identified. Here we propose that, when its head is the genital apparatus, natural selection treats it as a genital apparatus. Probably these fantastic heads of Australian onychophorans are just another case of divergent sexual evolution by sexual selection.
References
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