The species was first described in 1845, but by that time, no one knew which gender the mussels would have, until they were discovered by scientists from the National Oceanography Centre, Southampton.
Scientists think, that the mussels would be able to change their gender in order to reproduce in very cold water. It was earlier discovered, that female Antarctic mussels can support up to 70 young mussels inside their shell and breed them till the 18th month. But while looking at the cellular growth, the scientists found out, that the eggs were present in male bodies. The team suggests, that the mussels breed their eggs as a male until they are old enough themselves to breed up to 70 eggs and then switch to be a female. The researchers have the opinion, that the bivalves will be maximizing their efficiency when it comes to reproduction. They also found out, that after a male changing to a female, the male tissue still exists in the mussels body for quite a long time.
Scientists still havent finished their research on Antarctic Bivalves, and will continue their methods during the next few month, so the gender change of the mussels still isnt completly figured out.
I think it is quite interesting that scientists still discover animals like this. Most of us people think, that the scientific world has discovered nearly everything, or that there aren't a lot of things in nature which may still surprise us, but scientists keep on exploring new animals or new facts about animals. I wouldn't have thought that there are more animals which can change their sex, it is not a very common ability. So it is fascinating that there is so much more to discover and I guess there always will be a lot to discover, we might never be finished finding out new facts about the nature and environment we live in.
Very interesting species. I know that worms and some fish do this and it must put them to quite an advantage for their species to go on existing. It always amazes me that we can study something so small and learn so much about them.
ReplyDeleteThis is pretty interesting to know that some animals can adapt in such extreme ways. As you said, I believe that what scientists have found up to now is just the tip of the iceberg and there are many fascinating discoveries yet to be made, this being one of those cases.
ReplyDeleteThis is really interesting species, I think there's a species of frog that can do the same thing. It seem a lot of animals in really cold climates find all sorts of unique ways to adapt to the harsh environment. This discovery just proves that there is so much about this world left to discover!
ReplyDeleteThat's a really interesting species, especially since that is its way of adapting to the ecosystem. I also like how you mentioned that there is so much more to learn, as that is what makes science exciting for me.
ReplyDeleteI wrote about a similar topic, and had the same view as you. Its unusual that scientists STILL manage to find new species and more information about those which we already know about. On the other hand, its a little bit silly to think they wouldn't as there is so much more for us to learn. Remember the days when everyone was certain he planet was flat? haha
ReplyDeleteGood point Nela! :) How much we have learned since then, huh? Now, we are jumping out of balloons from the edge of space!
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