Surface structure that is a small protuberance on the surface of the body. Nuptial tubercles primarily function to facilitate contact between individuals for breeding. [ TAO:wd ]
Synonyms: contact organ breeding tubercle
Term information
Nuptial tubercles may be keratinized or nonkeratinized. Also may function in territorial defense or stimulation of females in breeding. Definition reference: Wiley, M. L. and B. B. Collette. 1970. Breeding tubercles and contact organs in fishes: Their occurrence, structure, and significance. Bull Am Mus Nat Hist 143: 143-216.
This class was sourced from an external ontology (teleost_anatomy). Its definitions, naming conventions and relationships may need to be checked for compatibility with uberon