DIVELOG JUNE 406

MARINE BIOLOGY WITH MIKE SCOTLAND - FISH IDENTIFICATION WOBBEGONGS AND SEX

MALES have a pair of claspers that are modified ventral fins. They can be positioned at right angles for sexual activity but are not able to expand as mammalian penises do.

FEMALES release a powerful pheromone to attract males when they wish to mate. This happens around June in Sydney waters. Both male and female become very aggressive during this time. Watch out!

Male Spotted wobbegong from Fish Rock Cave snoozing with the female

Above: Male and female bonding together in a moment of tender romance. Below left. This is the same male as the above shot one day later on. This rare moment capturing a rival male being dealt with brutally by

the dominant male by biting the intruder violently just below the claspers to drive him off. Below right. This large female Hale’s Ornate wobbegong and her mate were both in mating mode and were letting us know that we should give them more space.

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DIVE LOG Australasia #406 - June ‘24

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