The Collaborative International Dictionary
Spermatophore \Sper"ma*to*phore\, n. [Spermato- + Gr. fe`rein to bear.]
(Physiol.) Same as Spermospore.
(Zo["o]l.) A capsule or pocket inclosing a number of spermatozoa. They are present in many annelids, brachiopods, mollusks, and crustaceans. In cephalopods the structure of the capsule is very complex.
Wiktionary
n. 1 (context biology English) A spermospore. 2 (context zoology English) A capsule or pocket enclosing a number of spermatozoa, found in many annelids, brachiopods, mollusks, and crustaceans.
Wikipedia
A spermatophore or sperm ampulla is a capsule or mass containing spermatozoa created by males of various animal species, especially salamanders and arthropods, and transferred in entirety to the female's ovipore during reproduction. Spermatophores may additionally contain nourishment for the female, in which case it is called a nuptial gift, as in the instance of bush crickets. In the case of the toxic moth Utetheisa ornatrix, the spermatophore includes sperm, nutrients, and pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PA) which prevent predation because it is poisonous to most organisms. However, in some species such as the Edith's Checkerspot butterfly, the "gift" provides little nutrient value. The spermatophore transferred at mating has little effect on female reproductive output. The alternative hypothesis of its usefulness is that the process of eating the spermatophore prevents the female from subsequent copulation, thereby giving the male's sperm more time to fertilize.
Usage examples of "spermatophore".
She could choose whether or not to embrace the spermatophore and place it in her seminal receptacle.
And then his hectocotylus reached for her, striking swiftly, and lodged his needlelike spermatophore among the roots of her arms.
The male releases a spermatophore, which contains the sperm, and the female picks it up at a later time.
And already he was holding out his hectocotylus toward her, the modified arm bearing the clutch of spermatophores at its tip.
And already he was holding out his hectocotylus toward her, the modified arm bearing the clutch of spermatophores at its tip.
But they could never control her, as was proven by the remnants of the spermatophore she still guiltily hoarded in her mantle cavity, cemented to the inner wall.
She could choose whether or not to embrace the spermatophore and place it in her seminal receptacle.