Copulatory opening
- Pronunciation
- /koh-PYOO-luh-tor-ee OH-puh-ning/
- Category
- Anatomy
- Singular
- Copulatory opening
- Plural
- Copulatory openings
Definition
An anatomical structure in female spiders and some insects where the male deposits sperm during mating.
Etymology
From Latin 'copulatus', meaning 'to couple' or 'to join together', and 'opening', from 'open', meaning 'to make or become accessible'.
Example
During the mating process, the male spider carefully inserts his pedipalp into the female's copulatory opening to transfer sperm.
Synonyms
- Genital opening
- Spermathecal opening
Related Terms
Usage Notes
The copulatory opening is critical for the reproductive process and is often located on the ventral side of the abdomen in spiders.