Needham's sac

Needham's sac (also called a spermatophore sac) is the part of the reproductive tract of cephalopods in which spermatophores are stored. Spermatophores are complex structures consisting of ropes of sperm and in some species include an ejaculatory apparatus and a cement body.

Needham's sac opens into the left side of the mantle cavity. During copulation of some cephalopod species, the hectocotylus transfers the spermatophore from Needham's sac into the mantle cavity of the female.^[1] The cement body helps the spermatophore adhere to the female.

References

↑ Barnes, Robert (1987). Invertebrate Zoology. Saunders College Publishing. ISBN 0030229073.

External links

Cirrate male reproductive tract from TOLWeb

Cephalopod anatomy

Shell

Shell types	External shells: Ammonoid shell Argonautid eggcase Nautiloid shell Orthocone Internal shells: Belemnoid guard Cirrate shell Cuttlebone Gladius (pen) Spirula shell Stylet

External features	Aperture Apex Callus Lirae Periostracum Sculpture Spire Sutures Umbilicus

Internal features	Body chamber Camerae Nacre Phragmocone Septa Siphuncle Whorls

Mantle

External anatomy	Funnel Dermal structures Fins (wings) Mantle locking-apparatus

Internal anatomy	Branchial hearts Ctenidia (gills) Hepatopancreas (digestive gland) Ink sac and ink Needham's sac Nephridia ("kidneys") Nidamental glands Osphradium Pericardial glands

Head and limbs

Brachial crown	Arms Hectocotylus Tentacles

Buccal region	Aptychus Beak Odontophore Radula Spadix and antispadix

Other parts	Eyes Statocysts

General

Chromatophores
Photophores
Nervous system
- Squid giant axon
- Squid giant synapse

Developmental stages: Spawn → Paralarva (Doratopsis stage) → Juvenile → Subadult → Adult • Egg fossils • Protoconch (embryonic shell)

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