Giant cuttlefish (Sepia apama) couple. The larger male is guarding the female from rival males as she lays eggs. This cuttlefish inhabits coastal waters around southern Australia. It is one of the largest of the cuttlefish,reaching a length of over 50 centimetres and weighing up to 5 kilograms. During mating,the male passes a spermatophore into a pouch by the female's mouth. This then bursts,releasing sperm into her mantle cavity,which fertilises the eggs. The eggs are then laid individually. Photographed off Whyalla,South Australia | |
Licence : | Droits gérés |
Crédit: | Science Photo Library / Douwma, Georgette |
Taille de l’image : | 5190 px × 3368 px |
Model Release : | Non requis |
Property Release : | Non requis |
Restrictions : | - |