Abstract
The baculum ( os penis , penile bone) is the penile heterotopic bone found in seven eutherian orders, including the Primates. It is the most varied bone as far as size and shape. The baculum is widely distributed in all families of primates, with the exception of the monogeneric infraorder Tarsiiformes. It is also lacking in five New World monkey genera and in Homo . Its interspecific variability in length can be related to body size, phylogenetic constraints, duration of intromission during copulation, and mating system. Penile complexity, as well as baculum length, increases in species with dispersed or polygynandrous mating systems, in which the female mates with multiple partners during the same fertile periods. It is likely that there are multiple functions of the baculum, such as providing support during prolonged intromissions, female genital stimulation, and/or sperm transport facilitation and delivery.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
