Biology and ecology
Reproductive system
The genitaliaGenitalia:
The reproductive structures of an animal. May refer to either male or female structure.
(formed by the fusion of both male and female structures) are one of the most diagnostic characters of mollusks. In many groups (e.g., Veronicellids), positive species identification cannot be made without the use of the genitalic characters. A generalized diagram of the genitaliaGenitalia:
The reproductive structures of an animal. May refer to either male or female structure.
can be found in below (right). There also may be genitalic structures present in some species and not others. Some of these structures are illustrated below.
Parts of the reproductive system and their function
- ovotestis/gonad: site of egg and sperm development in hermaphroditicHermaphroditic:
State of having both male and female reproductive organs. (See also Hermaphrodite)
species (i.e., it functions as an ovary and a testis) - hermaphroditic Hermaphroditic:
State of having both male and female reproductive organs. (See also Hermaphrodite)
duct/ovotestis duct: allows for the passage of the gametes to the fertilization pocket - seminal vesicle: functions in sperm storage (sometimes allow for further sperm maturation), re-absorption, and degeneration
- albumen gland: functions to produce albumen or perivitelline fluid for the egg
- fertilization pouch-spermatheca complex (FPSC)/fertilization pocket (pouch)/talon/carrefour/spermoviduct: as the name suggests, this is where fertilization occurs
- prostate gland: functions to produce seminal fluid
- bursa copulatrix/spermatheca/gametolytic gland: functions to receive sperm during copulation; also said to have a function in sperm degradation
- oviduct: functions to separate the groups of oocytes coming from the ovary into a line in order to increase the chances of being fertilized
- vas deferens: functions to accumulate sperm prior to copulation
- vagina/upper atriumAtrium:
Opening or passage of the genitalia. OR Region for the reception of gametes.
: Functions to receive sperm during copulation - atrium: allows entry to the reproductive system
- flagellum: used in sperm transfer
- penis: functions to transfer sperm during copulation
