The Dawn of the Deed by John A. Long

Author:John A. Long [Long, John A.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2012-12-14T16:00:00+00:00

Harpactea spider penis structure. (John Long after Řezáč 2009)

The next big step in the evolution of vertebrates was the advent of jawed fishes, such as our lusty armor-plated placoderms. As discussed in earlier chapters, we now know that some of these had elaborate mating methods using spiky bone-covered claspers, whilst others had the smoother, more slender type of clasper that was almost certainly used as an intromittent organ. Sharks and rays alive today use similar methods of mating, although their claspers are now soft and pliable, supported internally by rubbery cartilage rods.

With this understanding of fish reproduction, the next important stage in our journey – from the origins of intimate sex in Devonian armored fishes to us – is to try to understand how fishes eventually left the water and invaded land. And, when they did so, how on earth did they have sex then?

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