News Animals

Sea slug carries disposable penis, plus spares

Hermaphrodites shed organ after one use, then uncoil another

By Susan Milius

- More than 2 years ago

A bristly hermaphroditic sea slug mates employing a use-it-then-lose-it penis, and carries one or two extras for future use, researchers have discovered.

DIFFERENT STROKES The sea slug Chromodoris reticulata has a peculiar mating behavior, researchers have found: It disposes of its penis and then, within a day, can use backup tissue for another mating.