Dinosaur fish had sex 380 million years ago

SYDNEY: The male members of an ancient fish species known as sea dinosaurs impregnated females with penis like organs 380 million years ago, just
like modern day sharks.

Some fish species engaged in penetrative sex and gave birth to young ones, according to a study conducted by Curtin University of Technology (CUT).

"The findings throw light on the evolution of vertebrates on earth, including our own species. This discovery provides a link in the chain of evolution," Kate Trinajstic, a researcher in CUT, said.

The research involves the identification of claspers in the fossil of a male Incisoscutum, exceed the oldest known date for vertebrates by approximately 200 million years. The Incisoscutum is an extinct species of placoderm, a primitive, shark-like armoured fish.

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