Spermatheca
- Pronunciation
- /spur-muh-THEE-kuh/
- Category
- Anatomy
- Singular
- Spermatheca
- Plural
- Spermathecae
Definition
A specialized organ in female insects and some arachnids used for storing sperm after mating. It allows females to control fertilization timing by storing and selectively using sperm to fertilize eggs.
Etymology
From Greek 'sperma', meaning 'seed', and 'theke', meaning 'case' or 'receptacle'.
Example
The queen bee's spermatheca can store sperm from multiple drones, allowing her to fertilize eggs over several years.
Synonyms
- Sperm storage organ
- Sperm receptacle
Related Terms
- Fertilization
- Oviposition
- Mating
- Reproductive system
Usage Notes
Spermathecae are crucial for reproductive success in many species, allowing for delayed fertilization and increased flexibility in offspring production.