The mating embrace of frogs and toads where the male clings to the female's back to fertilize her eggs as they're released.
Latin word meaning 'embrace' or 'clasp,' from 'amplectere' (to embrace, encircle). Adopted directly into scientific terminology in the 19th century for amphibian reproductive behavior.
Amplexus is so physically demanding that some male frogs have evolved special finger pads and muscular forearms specifically to maintain the embrace during marathon mating sessions—literally building gym muscles just for reproduction.
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