Haematodocha
- Pronunciation
- /hee-mah-toh-DOH-kuh/
- Category
- Anatomy
- Singular
- Haematodocha
- Plural
- Haematodochae
Definition
A membranous sac in the pedipalp of male spiders that expands during copulation to transfer sperm to the female.
Etymology
From Greek 'haima', meaning 'blood', and 'dochē', meaning 'receptacle' or 'container'.
Example
The haematodocha fills with hemolymph, expanding and facilitating the transfer of sperm during mating.
Synonyms
- Sperm sac
Related Terms
- Pedipalp
- Spermatophore
- Copulation
- Hemolymph
Usage Notes
The haematodocha is a distinguishing feature in many spider species and plays a crucial role in the reproductive process.