Caecilian

:See also: Caecilian, bishop of Carthage, 312 C.E.

Reproduction

Caecilians are the only order of amphibians which only use internal insemination. The male Caecilians have a penis-like organ, the phallodeum, which is inserted into the cloaca of the female for 2 to 3 hours. About 25% of the species are oviparous (egg-laying); the eggs are guarded by the female. For some species the young Caecilians are already metamorphed when they hatch, other hatch as larvae. The larvae aren't fully aquatic, but spend the daytime in the soil near the water.

Related Topics:
Penis - Oviparous - Metamorphed

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

75% of the species are viviparous, meaning that they give birth to already developed offspring. The fetus is fed inside the female with special cells of the oviduct, which are eaten by the fetus with special scraping teeth.

Related Topics:
Viviparous - Oviduct

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~