Flatworm uses 'hypodermic penis' to inject sperm into own head

The Guardian ^ | 7-1-15 | Philip Oldfield

[dynachrome]

The pursuit of reproductive success in the animal kingdom sometimes calls for extreme measures. But few creatures can match the hermaphrodite flatworm, which scientists have discovered can reproduce by injecting sperm into its own head.

The tiny aquatic worm, Macrostomum hystix, is able to self-fertilise because it produces both eggs and sperm. Although it prefers to reproduce with other flatworms, when no mating opportunities are present it resorts to using its needle-like penis to inject sperm into its own head.

The sperm then swim down the creature’s transparent body to fertilise eggs in the tail region, leading to viable offspring.

[Lurkina.n.Learnin]

I guess you’d have to call that a selfie.

[savage woman]

I guess the old “Not tonight, I have a headache”
could still apply...

[amihow]

Gender confused?

[dware]

So many jokes, so little time...

[hal ogen]

“...hypodermic penis...inject sperm into own head...” That doesn’t sound like a lot of fun.

[Rodamala]

B. Caytlinius Jenneritae?

[tumblindice]

There was a flatworm from Nantucket ...

[GingisK]

There once was a worm from Nantucket....

[martin_fierro]

♀☹☠☣☢★☆ MANGLED GENITALS PING ☆★☢☣☠☹♂

"kiiiiinnnnnnk-aaaay!"

[ShorelineMike]

“Another Saturday Night, and I Ain’t Got Nobody ...”

[central_va]

Those tape worms are F-ed in the head.

[tumblindice]

Do flatworms have chins?

[Toespi]

Some may know the Hyperdermic Penis, used in a more familiar term as “the needle dic”

[Chickensoup]

Flatworm uses ‘hypodermic penis’ to inject sperm into own head

______________

I think my friend dated a guy like this once.

[GingisK]

Do flatworms have chins?

We have developed a code based on dirty ditties. Communications has been established. The military leaves peculiar scars.

[Slings and Arrows]

Have the scientists found its little rainbow flag yet?

[Daffynition]

Hello. My name is Caitlyn

[Daffynition]

Just another Earworm

[csvset]

New territory for Apple. Forget the watch, what you need is a hypodermic penis that injects sperm into your head.