Question

 How do coelacanths reproduce?

Answer 1

Coelacanths reproduce sexually, with females giving birth to live young. They have an unusual reproductive strategy, with the females producing a small number of large eggs which are retained inside the body until they hatch. The newborn coelacanths are about 30 cm long, and undergo significant changes as they grow into adults.

Answer 2

Coelacanths are ovoviviparous, meaning they give birth to live young. The embryos are nourished by yolk sacs and develop within the mother until they are born fully formed.

Answer 3

Coelacanths reproduce sexually and lay eggs. The females lay the eggs, which are present in their stomachs until they are ready to hatch.

Answer 4

Coelacanths reproduce via a method known as ovoviviparity, which is a form of reproduction in which the female retains the fertilized eggs inside her body until they hatch into live offspring. Here's an overview of the coelacanth reproductive process:

1. Mating: Coelacanths are known to have internal fertilization. Males have a specialized structure called a "clasper" to transfer sperm to the female.

2. Retention of Eggs: After mating, the female retains the fertilized eggs within her body. The eggs develop within her oviducts.

3. Live Birth: Eventually, the eggs hatch within the female's body, and she gives birth to live, fully-formed young coelacanths. These young fish are relatively large at birth compared to many other fish species.

This reproductive strategy, with the young being born alive rather than hatching from eggs outside the female's body, is thought to be an adaptation to their deep-sea environment, providing the young with a better chance of survival in the challenging conditions of the deep ocean.