Oceans Daily Issue No. 4

Page 53

Sea of Love “Let´s plunge into the complex world of romance, and discover some of the love varieties and underwater relationships found in the big blue.” Love comes in many shades… Also in the Oceans. In the Ocean You can find monogamous species (species that stays together though out their entire lives), species that die from exhaustion after finding their mate, and species that sing or travel thousands of miles, - searching for love, - just to mention a few exampels ! “Lets melt together and our hearts shall become one !” Well, - this sounds romantic, - if it was left said and did not become a reality… Though this is in fact what happens for some deep sea anglerfish species ! The deep sea anglerfish male is fairly smaller than the female, and is incapable of crating light, - unlike the female. The most important part of his life is to search for a mate! The female he searches for, - is much larger than the male and lights up the harsh, dark and cold environment. When the male has found a female, - he gives her the greatest kiss… A populistic term, for biting and clinging himself onto her, - wherever there is space. And by mentioning space, - the male suiter is actually doomed to share his female, often with several other males.

Photo by

Because something fairly interesting happens when the male has kissed, - or bitten the female… He actually “melts” together with the female. This might sound strange, - since it is rather special. What happens is this : When the male has bitten onto the female with his small and sharp teeth, - he actually becomes a sort of parasitical partner, since the female completely cares for him. She gives him food, new blood, - he even loses his eyes, - since there is no longer need for these (he has chosen his mate and will stick with her till the end of their lives.). Though in return he delivers something vital for the deep sea anglerfish´s species survival - a lifelong supply of sperm ! The male constantly makes sure that the female will lay fertile eggs during her entire life. But he is competing with the other suitors - up to six other males !

NOAA

51


Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.