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tubercles

Started by Guest_exasperatus2002_* , Dec 14 2011 08:19 AM

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6 replies to this topic

#1 Guest_exasperatus2002_*

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Posted 14 December 2011 - 08:19 AM

I always wondered are breeding tubercles for adornment or are they functional as well?

#2 Guest_fundulus_*

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Posted 14 December 2011 - 01:07 PM

They're also referred to as "contact organs" and probably function in some tactile role for both males and females. It's hard to ask the fish exactly what they feel, though...

#3 Guest_LincolnUMike_*

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Posted 14 December 2011 - 11:04 PM

It's hard to ask the fish exactly what they feel, though...

I never had such a problem... only getting an answer from them!

#4 Guest_gerald_*

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Posted 15 December 2011 - 11:05 AM

A post-spawning male redhorse or chub can tell you quite convincingly how he feels, without words, just by his scrapes and gashes. Tubercles can be used as both a weapon and a spawning stimulus.

#5 Guest_tricolor_*

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Posted 16 December 2011 - 02:25 PM

Any Cyprinella and other manly cyprinids equipped with nasty tubercles would say "yeah, it is full-contact organs."

#6 Guest_Aquaman_*

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Posted 16 December 2011 - 09:07 PM

I did some research on the Creek Chubsucker (Erimyzon oblongus) and spawning behavior. The males grow some impressive tubercles especially since some of these fish can get around a foot. If males battle for territory, they literally line up together and "swing" their heads at one another.

Crazy, scary stuff....

Scott