Walter Watts
Archon
Gender: 
Posts: 1571
Reputation: 8.89
Rate Walter Watts
Just when I thought I was out-they pull me back in
  
|
 |
virus: Slimy Leeches Are Devoted Parents?
« on: 2004-07-04 09:50:30 » |
 |
Slimy Leeches Are Devoted Parents?
Jul 2, 11:16 am ET
SYDNEY (Reuters) - You wouldn't guess it by looking at them, but some
species of leeches brood like birds and mammals, carrying their newborns
and nurturing their young.
The Australian leech, helobdella papillornata, is the first known
example of an invertebrate caring for its young into maturity, said
evolutionary biologist Fred Govedich, at Australia's Monash University.
"Although the word leech is often considered synonymous with selfishness
and exploitation, many leeches are devoted parents," Govedich said Friday.
A Monash study of the Australian leech has found it carries its young
for up to six weeks after hatching, gathers food and protects them from
predators. The leeches also ferry their offspring to new territories
where they will be safe and well fed after they leave the parent.
The helobdella papillornata leech gathers in groups of up to 50 leeches
and will provide food to the young of other leeches.
"The findings... introduce an interesting new angle for evolutionary
biologists to consider when attempting to explain how parental care has
evolved," Govedich said. "It is fascinating that an invertebrate is
displaying vertebrate-like parenting."
Govedich said the other interesting aspect of parenting leeches is that
leeches are hermaphrodites but display the parenting behaviors usually
associated with species which have separate sexes.
There are between 700 and 1,000 species of leech worldwide.
---
To unsubscribe from the Virus list go to <http://www.lucifer.com/cgi-bin/virus-l>
|
Author
Logged
