- Male sharks possess a pair of claspers, modified pelvic fins, which are used for reproduction.
- During mating, the maleshark positions himself underneath the female.
- He inserts one of his claspers into the female's cloaca, a multipurpose opening that serves for reproduction, excretion, and childbirth.
- Sperm is transferred through the clasper, interna lfertilizing the female's eggs.
Gestation and Embryonic Development:
The reproductive strategies vary among different shark species, primarily categorized as:
1. Viviparity (LiveBirth):
- Some shark species are viviparous, meaning they give birth to live offspring.
- The fertilized eggs are retained within the female's body, where the embryos develop and receive nourishment from the mother through a specialized organ called the placenta or via a yolk sac.
- The gestation period varies depending on the species, ranging from several months to two years.
- When fully developed, the young sharks are birthed in a live state.
2. Ovoviviparity (Egg-Live Birth):
- Ovoviviparity is an intermediate reproductive strategy where the eggs develop inside the female's body but hatch just before or as they are released.
- The embryos receive nutrients from the yolk in the eggs and potentially some uterine nourishment.
- The young emerge as live, independent individuals upon hatching.
3. Oviparity (Egg Laying):
- Shark species that lay eggs are known as egg-laying or oviparous.
- The fertilized eggs are enclosed in protective egg cases typically known as "mermaid's purses" or "shark bags."
- These egg cases are deposited by the female in suitable locations, such as rock crevices, seaweed, or the ocean floor.
- The eggs develop and hatch after a species-specific incubation period, resulting in the emergence of fully formed, miniature versions of the adult sharks.