[SirPentor]

<a href="http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/18405734/" target="_blank">http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/18405734/</a><br><div style="margin:20px;margin-top:5px;">
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<table border="0" cellpadding="6" cellspacing="0" width="99%"><tr><td class="alt2" style="border:1px inset;">A sexual arms race waged with twisted genitals has been discovered in waterfowl.<br><br>
The genitalia of the females of these species have at times apparently evolved to make it harder for males to successfully impregnate them, according to new findings that shed light on the eternal war of the sexes.<br><br>
Most birds lack phalluses, organs like human penises. Waterfowl are among the just 3 percent of all living bird species that retain the grooved phallus found in their reptilian ancestors.</td>
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[boingo82]

That was fascinating and bizarre.

 

[DarkHorseMama]

I had to read that title three times. Blink. And read it another time just to make sure it was saying what I thought it was saying. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/bigeyes.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="bigeyes"><br><br>
And I think that picture is going to give me nightmares.

 

[boingo82]

<div style="margin:20px;margin-top:5px;">
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<table border="0" cellpadding="6" cellspacing="0" width="99%"><tr><td class="alt2" style="border:1px inset;">
<div>Originally Posted by <strong>DarkHorseMama</strong> <a href="/community/forum/post/8007245"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/community/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a></div>
<div style="font-style:italic;">And I think that picture is going to give me nightmares.</div>
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now that i'm thinking about it, how the heck do they lay an egg with that?

 

[mamalisa]

"Despite the fact that most waterfowl form monogamous pairs, forced copulations by other males — the avian equivalent of rape — are common in many waterfowl," said Prum. The length of the phallus of a species is strongly linked with the frequency of forced copulations. " From the article.<br><br>
Seriously, we live on a lake and there are about 5 male mallards to every female. It's absolutely horrifying to see them basically gang raping the poor female. It's truly creepy. But I'm glad I don't have to see their genitals. Ew.

 

[Raven]

<img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/bigeyes.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="bigeyes"><br><br>
ew.

 

[gethane]

I read this yesterday. And when I saw the the title, I knew it was you, Sir Pentor, that had posted it. You are MDC's very own "News of the Weird" editor.

 

[Brigianna]

I don't actually know anything about this stuff, but doesn't that seem kind of contrary to natural selection? Doesn't it make more sense that there would be developments to make it <i>easier</i> to reproduce?

 

[SirPentor]

<div style="margin:20px;margin-top:5px;">
<div class="smallfont" style="margin-bottom:2px;">Quote:</div>
<table border="0" cellpadding="6" cellspacing="0" width="99%"><tr><td class="alt2" style="border:1px inset;">
<div>Originally Posted by <strong>Brigianna</strong> <a href="/community/forum/post/8011949"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/community/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a></div>
<div style="font-style:italic;">I don't actually know anything about this stuff, but doesn't that seem kind of contrary to natural selection? Doesn't it make more sense that there would be developments to make it <i>easier</i> to reproduce?</div>
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Not necessarily. It would evolve to make sure that only strong males can impregnate them (for some definition of "strong").

 

[kama'aina mama]

I dunno... there's no duck shortage. The article talked about the balance of which gender controls reproduction. Everyone WANTS to reproduce but not everyone GETS to... who picks? The males of many species are very forceful. Some whales produce semen in astonishing quantity in an effort to push out any previous sperm from the female. But the females choice has always played a role as well.<br><br>
I find this fascinating.

 

[kama'aina mama]

<div style="margin:20px;margin-top:5px;">
<div class="smallfont" style="margin-bottom:2px;">Quote:</div>
<table border="0" cellpadding="6" cellspacing="0" width="99%"><tr><td class="alt2" style="border:1px inset;">
<div>Originally Posted by <strong>SirPentor</strong> <a href="/community/forum/post/8012268"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/community/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a></div>
<div style="font-style:italic;">Not necessarily. It would evolve to make sure that only strong males can impregnate them (for some definition of "strong").</div>
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No... the opposite. If strength were the only issue they would just be straight and simple. This complexity means that the male who secures the females assistance and cooperation is more likely to be a duckling-daddy.

 

[SirPentor]

<div style="margin:20px;margin-top:5px;">
<div class="smallfont" style="margin-bottom:2px;">Quote:</div>
<table border="0" cellpadding="6" cellspacing="0" width="99%"><tr><td class="alt2" style="border:1px inset;">
<div>Originally Posted by <strong>kama'aina mama</strong> <a href="/community/forum/post/8012319"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/community/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a></div>
<div style="font-style:italic;">No... the opposite. If strength were the only issue they would just be straight and simple. This complexity means that the male who secures the females assistance and cooperation is more likely to be a duckling-daddy.</div>
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I was using "strong" like "good". As in, "He's a strong math student."

 

[kama'aina mama]

Ah....

 

[SirPentor]

<div style="margin:20px;margin-top:5px;">
<div class="smallfont" style="margin-bottom:2px;">Quote:</div>
<table border="0" cellpadding="6" cellspacing="0" width="99%"><tr><td class="alt2" style="border:1px inset;">
<div>Originally Posted by <strong>kama'aina mama</strong> <a href="/community/forum/post/8012607"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/community/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style="border:0px solid;"></a></div>
<div style="font-style:italic;">Ah....</div>
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You have to remember my alpha-mail mentality. I equate physical power with goodness. Grunt Grunt.