Tuatara are ancient, slow and endangered. But their super speedy sperm could boost conservation efforts
- Written by: Sarah Lamar, PhD Researcher, Te Herenga Waka — Victoria University of Wellington
Shutterstock/Rudmer ZwerverNew Zealand’s endemic tuatara (Sphenodon punctatus) are the sole survivors of an ancient reptile order called Rhynchocephalia. Once widespread across New Zealand, tuatara survive in only a fraction of their historic range, on small offshore islands and in fenced eco-sanctuaries.
Male tuatara are usually larger and...
