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Fig. 1 | Frontiers in Zoology

Fig. 1

From: Support for a radiation of free-living flatworms in the African Great Lakes region and the description of five new Macrostomum species

Fig. 1

Functional hypotheses for the changes in sperm design observed in the Tanganyika clade. a Typical mating posture during reciprocally mating Macrostomum species. b Anatomical details during the suck behavior. c During the suck behavior, both sperm feelers and bristles are hypothesized to anchor sperm and prevent its removal. d and e Sperm with an elongated feeler or an extended anterior length could penetrate deep inside the recipient’s tissue and lead to stronger anchoring. d and/or allow egg-sperm contact (e). Images (a–c) are redrawn, and (d–e) are modified from [21]

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Frontiers in Zoology

ISSN: 1742-9994