Blog Post Module 10

 In most species we see males being colorful and displaying mating acts to court the females. In that case females are most often a drab dull color. However, in Microphis deocata the exact opposite situation occurs. The female in these pipefish extend their colorful bellies when they are in breeding condition and make an accordion like movement to attract/choose a male mate. The male is actually the more drab individual. I believe the reason something like this evolves is related to the fact that male Rainbow Belly Pipefish, just like seahorses, are the ones that carry the eggs until they hatch. The male is responsible for a role that in most other species is almost always carried out by the female. The female deposits her eggs in an area on the male's underside where they will stay until they hatch. From the research I've done I found out that Microphis deocata are actually related to seahorses. Both species belong to the Syngnathidae family. I think it makes sense that organisms with similar characteristics were derived from a common ancestor or family. Usually males want to mate with as many females as possible to produce the most offspring they can to have the greatest genetic impact moving forward. However, in this case males can't do that. They have the eggs from their female and they cannot carry anymore until those hatch. Why would pipefish do things like this? 

Maybe the environment pipefish live in produces circumstances where protecting the eggs in question is more important than being able to fertilize a whole bunch of eggs that maybe don't survive. The male may be able to protect the eggs more successfully than the female. On the other hand, the male carrying the eggs allows the female to prepare more eggs for fertilization at the same time (while her current offspring are growing). This could allow the species to actually create offspring more quickly. The courting is dependent on the female so it makes sense that she would control the rate and be the one to give out eggs, eggs, eggs. The roles are reversed. The female is the one looking for the most bang for her buck when usually it is the male doing this through mating with a bunch of females. After the males birth the young, the female can implant a new batch of eggs very soon after. This is a very efficient way to produce a whole lot of offspring and therefore have the best chance of species survival. Overall, it might be more beneficial for these organisms to distribute energy costs a little more equally between the two sexes. I think more species should evolve this way but what do I know haha.

Resource consulted: https://blog.padi.com/the-only-male-animals-in-the-world-that-get-pregnant-and-give-birth/