All articles tagged with #reproduction strategy
New fossil analysis shows T. rex hatchlings were cat-sized (about 75 cm long and roughly 1.7–2.5 kg), hatched from large clutches of 20–30 eggs, and bore features similar to adults. This suggests tyrannosaurs had a high-offspring, lower-parental-investment strategy (an r-strategy) rather than the long-held view of extensive parental care, signaling a transitional pattern between reptiles and birds.
Some marine worms, like the Japanese green syllids, have a unique reproduction strategy where they grow a second worm on their rear ends, which then breaks off and swims away to find a mate. This detached structure, called a stolon, develops its own brain, eyes, antennae, and sex organs. The stolon's only purpose is to spawn sperm or eggs, and it dies soon after. The mechanism by which the stolon detaches is not fully understood, but it likely breaks off when it starts to wriggle. Meanwhile, a new tail bud grows on the remaining worm, allowing it to continue foraging for food as it grows its next detachable butt.