Question

In chondrichthyes, claspers are seen on __________
A. Pelvic fins of males
B. Pelvic fins of females
C. Operculum of both sexes
D. Around jaws

Answer 1

Hint: Chondrichthyes is a class of animals that includes cartilaginous fishes. These fishes are jawed, have paired nares, scales, paired fins and a heart that has a series of chambers. Their skeleton is composed of cartilage instead of bones. Claspers are a pair of appendages found on the posterior side of male pelvic fins.

Complete Answer:
- Claspers are used in the transportation of sperms into the females. Claspers are located on posterior pelvic fins.
- They are found only in male fishes or chondrichthyans used as intromittent organ.
- They are found in pairs in the male elasmobranchs that include rays, skates and sharks and also in Holocephalans.
- During copulation, one of the claspers is raised through which the water enters into siphon through orifice.
- Later the clasper is inserted into the colaca to stabilize its position by opening like an umbrella.
- Further there is a contraction in siphon expelling water along with sperms.

Therefore the correct answer is (A) Pelvic fins of males.

Note: Unlike pennis, claspers are not the independent appendages, they are the cartilaginous extension of pelvic fins of shark and other chondrichthyans.