Group strength in sperm evolution

2007/02/01 Roa Zubia, Guillermo - Elhuyar Zientzia

• Eboluzioa
• Zoologia

Mouse and rats have scythe shaped sperm. It is a special feature, not present in other mammals. Knowing this, biologists from the English University of Sheffield investigate the advantage of this sperm. The scythe shape allows sperm to keep each other forming large groups of hundreds of units. And the team has greater mobility and competitiveness against individual sperm. This

advantage is very important in the competition between species of high promiscuity. Large groups of sperm are easier to reach than small eggs. Researchers have studied many species and have found that the greater the barrauco of the species (therefore, the greater the amount ejaculated), the greater the presence of sperm in the form of a scythe. The advantage of having this aspect has helped this type of sperm evolve.

Simone Immler