spermatophore

American  

[spur-mat-uh-fawr, -fohr, spur-muh-tuh-] / spɜrˈmæt əˌfɔr, -ˌfoʊr, ˈspɜr mə tə- /

noun

Zoology.

1. a capsule surrounding a mass of spermatozoa, produced by the male of various animal species and transferred to the female.

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spermatophore British  

/ ˈspɜːmətəʊˌfɔː, ˌspɜːməˈtɒfərəl /

noun

1. a capsule of spermatozoa extruded by some molluscs, crustaceans, annelids, and amphibians

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spermatophore Scientific  

/ spər-măt′ə-fôr′ /

1. A capsule or compact mass of spermatozoa extruded by the males of certain invertebrates and primitive vertebrates and directly transferred to the reproductive parts of the female.

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Other Word Forms

• spermatophoral adjective
• spermatophorous adjective

Etymology

Origin of spermatophore

First recorded in 1840–50; spermato- + -phore

Example Sentences

In contrast, the Polish species Leptophyes albovittata produced a spermatophore ten times smaller and mated after just 24 seconds.

From BBC • Feb. 14, 2012

The spermiduct is provided with a glandular pouch, and opens into a terminal reservoir known as Needham’s sac or the spermatophore sac.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 5, Slice 6 "Celtes, Konrad" to "Ceramics" by Various

When pairing takes place the female fertilizes herself by taking up a spermatophore which a male has left upon a sheet of web for that purpose.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 5, Slice 6 "Celtes, Konrad" to "Ceramics" by Various

In Nautilus the spermatophore when uncoiled is a little over 30 mm. in length.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 5, Slice 6 "Celtes, Konrad" to "Ceramics" by Various

When the spermatophore is expelled into the water the connective is extended and evaginated, and the sac containing the sperms bursts.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 5, Slice 6 "Celtes, Konrad" to "Ceramics" by Various