In this research paper or article – “Seahorse – Male Endurance – Roles Swapped!!” – the most unusual mode of reproduction in the entire animal kingdom, found in the seahorses, is discussed in detail. I (Dr. Aditya Sardana aka Adidarwinian) have written it from a view-point of making it comprehensible to both the biologists and laymen. I have not only used simple language, but have also given the definitions and explanations of various terms and concepts concerning seahorses. Moreover, to make reading a fun, I have written some poems on seahorses epitomizing their weirdest way of reproduction.
Two Pieces of Poetry (poems or short songs), from the Pen of an Earnest Biologist (Dr. Aditya Sardana aka Adidarwinian), dedicated to the Seahorse!!
“For Seahorse, I have more than one song,
Each revealing how Nature goes wrong.”
“With Seahorse, Nature takes a wrong turn,
Shattering a biologist’s intelligence to make him learn,
Male bears the young one,
This is not a hoax,
But the Nature’s paradox.”
“With Seahorse, Nature is on the wrong course,
As Male bears the full force,
Male endures the offspring beyond a weirdo’s imagination,
Pulling out to its limit the string of the human fascination.”
Seahorses, which are a type of fish, are too comely and graceful to fail to fascinate and arouse the inquisitive nature of any human being. They are one of the most awe-inspiring creations of the Nature. Seahorses are named so because they are marine in their habitat and have a horse-like head. Animal-analogy does not end here, as the biologists often describe seahorses as having monkey-like prehensile tail, kangaroo-like pouch, and chameleon-like eyes. In the Chinese language, a seahorse is known as Hai Ma (Haima). Seahorses’ high level of exploitatation in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has become a grave issue of international interests. The use of seahorses in TCM is discissed here – Seahorses in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM).
Seahorses belong to the genus Hippocampus (derived from hippos: horse + campus: sea monster) of the family Syngnathidae (derived from syn: together or fused + gnathus: jaws) of the class Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes). Hippocampus kuda is the scientific name of the common seahorse. Hippocampus kuda is commonly known as yellow seahorse and spotted seahorse.
The most important of the facts about seahorses which deeply astounds even a hardcore biologist, is that the male seahorse is the one who becomes pregnant instead of the female seahorse. This exceptional and bizarre mode of reproduction, involving swapping of male and female roles with respect to pregnancy, is the utmost form of male parental care discovered till date in the entire animal kingdom. Thus, Nature follows an unusual course in the case of seahorses, as it is the male seahorse that endures the pregnancy.