Animals swap sexual organs,

For the first time, scientists discovered the creature with genital swapping: Males have vagina, females have 'precious'. In particular, their mating time is up to 70 hours.

Neotrogla insects were found 18 years ago, ranging in size from 2.7mm to 3.7mm. When analyzing four insects belonging to the genus Neotrogla in remote caves in Brazil, the researchers were surprised to find a reversal of their genitalia.

Close up of the genitals of Neotrogla insects

The genitals of the penis-like female are called gynosomes , about one-seventh of the length of the body, including the duct, muscles, membranes and genital spines. In contrast, the male genitals have a vagina-like structure. In particular, their mating time lasts from 40 to 70 hours.

During mating, the female will put their 'hose' into the male genitals and start draining the sperm. In addition, the inner lining of the female genitalia will swell, spines on the female's genitals have the 'task' of securing two individuals to one another - so that the male abdomen is severed. However, this does not affect the male genitals.

Research author - entomologist Kazunori Yoshizawa of Hokkaido University (Japan) - explained: 'Gynosomes are completely new structures in evolution. This novel development is rare, comparable to the origin of winged insects. "

Females carry male sex organs and mate for up to 70 hours

According to scientists, the reason this creature has such unique reproductive characteristics is because they live in a dry cave environment. The habitat is poor in nutrients so it is a great advantage for the female to mate with the male because of the amount of nutrients and sperm it receives from the male semen.

Sexual behavior of this species shows signs of coercion from females. Although in most animals, coercive actions in sex belong to the exclusive feature of males.

This discovery was published in the journal Current Biology April 17.