Question

8. What is unusual here about sea horse reproduction? Is it still a form of spawning? Tell why or why not

.9. How do seahorses rest?

Answer 1

Ans(8): Sea horses are known for male pregnancy. They are also ovoviviparous. The male seahorse has a pouch on front upper side of its tail. During mating, the female seahorse deposits up to 1,500 eggs in the male's pouch. The male carries the eggs for about 9 to 45 days until offsprings fully develop. Then, the young ones are released into the water. During fertilization, pouch opens for only few seconds and egg deposition occurs. During this time, some seawater enters the pouch. This hyperosmotic environment activates the sperms present in pouch and facillitate their motility. This fertilization is regarded as physiologically ‘external’ within a physically ‘internal’ environment.

Yes, it is a for of spawning. In spawning, egg and sperms are released in water for fertilization. Here also, egg are released by female sea horse in in pouch of male sea horse where sea water is also present and ferlization occurs in seawater present within the pouch.

Ans(9): Seahorses rest on a coral or seaweed for days holding it through its tail. Tail wounds on a stationary object like a coral and they rest with support of it. This is shown in picture below-