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Glite Dictionary
amplexus

amplexus

1 9.9
A mating embrace where a male frog or toad clasps a female to fertilize her eggs
  • noun
  • /ˈæmplɛksəs/
  • Specialized
: amplexus
  • In amplexus, a male amphibian holds onto a female to fertilize her eggs in a close embrace.

Examples

  • (This odd phenomenon, called amplexus in frogs, does the species no good, but surely boosts the reproductive success of amplexing males.)

    Academic text (1995)

  • During amplexus, the male frog clasps the female tightly, ensuring that he fertilizes her eggs as she lays them.

  • The distinctive mating behavior known as amplexus involves the male frog wrapping his body around the female to assist in reproduction.

Surface Forms

amplexus singular
amplexi plural

Etymology

The word amplexus comes from the Latin verb amplector, which means 'to embrace' or 'to clasp' and is like the English word embrace. That's why amplexus refers to the mating 'embrace' when a male amphibian holds a female to fertilize her eggs.