Spermatophore

Guides

Copiphorini
Coneheads
Copiphorini is a tribe of katydids (Tettigoniidae) within the subfamily Conocephalinae, characterized by a distinctive cone-shaped projection on the head that extends forward in front of the antennae base. Members range from 24 to 74 mm in length, with females typically larger than males. The tribe was originally described as a subfamily (Copiphorinae) by Karny in 1912 but has been reclassified. Species produce loud songs through forewing stridulation and possess straight, slender, toothless ovipositors.
katydid bush-cricket conehead stridulation Ensifera acoustic-communication sexual-selection spermatophore
Cyphoderris
Hump-winged Grigs
Cyphoderris is a genus of primitive orthopterans known as hump-winged grigs, representing a relict lineage of the ancient family Haglidae (now Prophalangopsidae). These cold-adapted, nocturnal insects are restricted to high-elevation coniferous forests and sagebrush meadows of western North America. Males produce acoustic signals by rubbing their forewings together to attract females. The genus exhibits unusual reproductive biology in which females feed on male metathoracic wing tissue during copulation, and males provide substantial proteinaceous spermatophores. Only three species are currently recognized: C. strepitans, C. buckelli, and C. monstrosa.
acoustic-communication nuptial-feeding sexual-selection cold-adaptation relict-species primitive-Orthoptera spermatophore wing-feeding nocturnal spring-breeding
Deuterosminthurus bicinctus
Deuterosminthurus bicinctus is a springtail species in the family Bourletiellidae, first described by Koch in 1840. It is notable for its elaborate courtship and mating rituals involving spermatophore transfer, which have been studied in detail. Males perform a complex sequence of behaviors including a rhythmic head-to-head 'dance' to direct females to deposited spermatophores. The species has been recorded across Europe, the Mediterranean region, Macaronesia, and Australia.
springtail Collembola courtship-ritual spermatophore sexual-behavior Symphypleona
Erythraeidae
Erythraeidae is a family of predatory mites in the order Trombidiformes. Adults are free-living, fast-running predators with long legs adapted for pursuit. Larvae are ectoparasites of various arthropods, including harvestmen, spiders, bees, and grasshoppers, using a stylostome to feed on host body fluids. These mites are typically oval, relatively large for mites, reddish in color, and densely hairy. The family belongs to the superfamily Erythraeoidea within the diverse group Parasitengona, which includes velvet mites, chiggers, and water mites.
mites Acari Trombidiformes Parasitengona predatory-adults parasitic-larvae ectoparasites stylostome spermatophore terrestrial
Eurycotis
Eurycotis is a genus of cockroaches in the family Blattidae, distributed across the Americas from the southern United States through Central America to South America. Members possess a distinctive defensive capability: both sexes harbor large abdominal glands that secrete a milky, acidic fluid when threatened, which can be released as an oozing liquid or projected as a spray up to three feet. The genus includes at least 20 species in Cuba alone, with Eurycotis floridana being the most extensively studied species. Research on E. floridana has documented detailed mating behaviors involving spermatophore transfer and courtship rituals.
chemical-defense Wolbachia endosymbiont mating-behavior spermatophore Caribbean-diversity
Oreoneta
A genus of dwarf spiders (family Linyphiidae) established in 1894, comprising approximately 30 species distributed across cold-temperate and Arctic regions of the Northern Hemisphere. Most species inhabit high-latitude or high-altitude environments. The genus was revised extensively by Saaristo & Marusik in 2004, resulting in numerous new species descriptions.
Arachnida Araneae Linyphiidae dwarf-spider Arctic boreal Holarctic tundra montane predator cold-adapted ground-dwelling high-latitude high-altitude Saaristo Marusik Chyzer Kulczyński 1894 2004-revision genitalic-characters epigynum embolus conductor palaearctic nearctic Eurasia North-America Scandinavia Siberia Alaska Canada Greenland Kazakhstan Mongolia China Kurile-Islands Finland Sweden Norway Germany Switzerland Italy Slovakia Bulgaria Central-Europe type-species:-Oreoneta-frigida thirty-species 30-species small-spider sheet-web-weaver money-spider Linyphiinae Erigoninae microhabitat litter-dwelling cryptic understudied taxonomic-revision morphological-taxonomy light-microscopy species-description biogeography glacial-refugia post-glacial-colonization endemic regional-endemic alpine-endemic Arctic-endemic boreal-forest taiga rocky-habitat meadow wetland stream-margin snowbed fellfield heath moss lichen vegetation soil-surface stone rock boulder scree talus debris humus organic-layer permafrost polar subpolar cold-stenotherm stenotherm stenotopic habitat-specialist conservation rare data-deficient IUCN red-list natural-history systematics phylogeny molecular-systematics DNA-barcoding COI cytochrome-oxidase 28S 18S ITS morphology taxonomy alpha-taxonomy revision monograph faunistics chorology zoogeography dispersal vicariance speciation cryptic-species species-complex species-group species-aggregate subspecies infraspecific variation polymorphism sexual-dimorphism male female juvenile instar ecdysis molting development growth reproduction mating courtship sperm-transfer spermatophore pedipalp palpal-organ copulatory-organ genitalia epigyne vulva spermatheca fertilization-duct copulatory-duct atrium scape maceration dissection microscope stereomicroscope compound-microscope illustration drawing photography SEM scanning-electron-microscopy habitus dorsal ventral lateral prosoma opisthosoma abdomen cephalothorax carapace sternum chelicera fang leg tarsus metatarsus tibia patella femur coxa trochanter spinneret colulus tracheal-spiracle book-lung cuticle seta hair spine macroseta sensillum chaetotaxy eye oculus ocelli anterior-median-eye posterior-median-eye anterior-lateral-eye posterior-lateral-eye eye-tubercle clypeus fovea pedicel waist constriction color pattern pigmentation melanism albinism size measurement total-length carapace-length carapace-width abdomen-length leg-length leg-formula index ratio proportion allometry ontogeny subadult adult maturity sexual-maturity reproductive-maturity longevity life-span generation-time voltinism univoltine semivoltine biennial perennial overwintering diapause quiescence cold-hardiness freeze-tolerance freeze-avoidance supercooling cryoprotectant glycerol sorbitol trehalose thermal-biology thermoregulation behavioral-thermoregulation postural-thermoregulation activity diurnal nocturnal crepuscular matutinal vespertine circadian rhythm seasonal phenology calendar date month activity-period breeding-season oviposition egg egg-sac cocoon silk web sheet-web tangle-web space-web platform-web dome-web bowl-web funnel retreat signal-line dragline attachment-disc ampullate-gland cylindriform-gland aciniform-gland aggregate-gland flagelliform-gland tubuliform-gland piriform-gland major-ampullate minor-ampullate silk-protein spidroin fibroin sericin glue viscid dry capture-silk dragline-silk safety-line anchor-line frame-line radial-line spiral-line sticky-spiral non-sticky-spiral hub perimeter substrate niche guild functional-group trophic-level carnivore zoophage arthropodivore insectivore prey capture attack subdue immobilize kill feed digest extraoral-digestion sucking-stomach gut midgut hindgut Malpighian-tubule excretion osmoregulation metabolism respiration trachea spiracle gas-exchange circulation hemolymph heart aorta sinus nervous-system brain ganglion nerve sensory-organ mechanoreceptor chemoreceptor thermoreceptor hygroreceptor photoreceptor proprioceptor trichobothrium tarsal-organ slit-sensillum lyriform-organ pedipalp-organ Haller's-organ contact-chemoreceptor gustatory olfactory pheromone semiochemical kairomone allomone synomone communication signal vibration seismic airborne visual chemical tactile copulation insemination sperm spermatozoon median-apophysis terminal-apophysis paracymbium cymbium bulbus tegulum subtegulum radix lamella process apophysis flange hook coil spiral duct reservoir sclerite plate field fossa pocket receptaculum spermathecae gland insemination-duct uterus uterus-externus uterus-internus vagina gonopore ovipositor ovary oviduct follicle vitellogenesis oogenesis spermatogenesis testis vas-deferens ejaculatory-duct seminal-vesicle fecundity fertility clutch-size egg-number hatching emergence ballooning aerial-dispersal silk-dragline gossamer migration movement walking running jumping climbing burrowing hiding refuge shelter defense predation predator-avoidance antipredator crypsis camouflage mimicry aposematism deimatic thanatosis autotomy leg-loss regeneration injury wound healing immune-response hemocyte melanization encapsulation nodule parasite parasitoid pathogen fungus bacterium virus nematode mite grooming cleaning hygiene self-maintenance silk-use web-use prey-capture foraging hunting ambush sit-and-wait active-hunting searching probing testing exploration learning memory cognition behavior ethology ecology population community ecosystem biome biosphere habitat environment abiotic biotic factor temperature humidity moisture precipitation rain snow wind light photoperiod day-length radiation UV soil cover complexity heterogeneity productivity energy nutrient carbon nitrogen phosphorus food-web trophic-interaction predator-prey competition intraspecific interspecific resource partitioning coexistence diversity richness evenness abundance density frequency occurrence presence absence detection sampling collection pitfall-trap quadrat transect hand-collecting beating sifting extraction Berlese Tullgren Winkler flotation sorting preservation ethanol formalin mount slide label catalog database repository museum voucher type holotype paratype syntype lectotype paralectotype neotype topotype original data locality georeference coordinate latitude longitude elevation altitude depth collector determination identification expert specialist literature publication journal article paper book thesis dissertation report checklist online digital archive bibliography reference citation author year volume page figure map table appendix supplementary material methods results discussion conclusion abstract keyword index-term subject topic discipline science biology zoology arachnology entomology evolution phylogenetics biological nature protection management policy legislation restoration monitoring assessment indicator flagship umbrella keystone engineer service function dynamics stability resilience resistance recovery succession disturbance climate change warming glacier range shift expansion contraction fragmentation isolation connectivity corridor network reserve park protected area wilderness urban rural agricultural forestry mining impact threat risk vulnerability sensitivity exposure adaptive capacity mitigation adaptation sustainable use harvest trade economy medicine research education outreach citizen engagement awareness appreciation aesthetic cultural spiritual existence value intrinsic instrumental utilitarian anthropocentric biocentric ecocentric ethic philosophy history discovery expedition voyage survey inventory fauna biota biodiversity life earth planet wildlife animal invertebrate arthropod chelicerate arachnid spider araneomorph entelegyne micryphantid Oreoneta 2004 frigida type-species alpine feeding type-specimen climate-change protected-area
Petrolisthes armatus
Green Porcelain Crab
Petrolisthes armatus, commonly known as the green porcelain crab, is a small porcellanid crab native to the southwestern Atlantic, particularly Brazil. The species has established invasive populations along the southeastern United States coast, where densities can exceed 30,000 individuals per square meter. Genetic studies confirm it as a single monophyletic species with exceptional geographic range spanning the Atlantic and eastern Pacific. It is frequently parasitized by the bopyrid isopod Aporobopyrus curtatus, which causes parasitic castration.
invasive-species filter-feeder parasite-host intertidal porcelain-crab oyster-reef symbiosis planktonic-larvae visual-ecology crustacean decapod anomura porcellanidae southwestern-atlantic eastern-pacific southeastern-united-states bopyrid-parasite Aporobopyrus-curtatus estuarine mangrove sponge-symbiosis gaze-stabilization achromatic-vision larval-transport oyster-bed ballast-water aquaculture monophyletic cryptic-species-complex parasitic-castration zoea megalopa pleopod spermatophore chelliped carapace granulated olive-green blue-coloration Farol-Island Brazil Georgia South-Carolina Florida Panama Costa-Rica Ecuador Peru Baja-California Caribbean Gulf-of-Mexico West-Indies Ascension-Island Bermuda Bahamas West-Africa rock-rubble soft-sediment shallow-subtidal lower-intertidal density-30000-per-square-meter 6-8-mm 0.5-g orange-spot four-segmented-cheliped antennae-outside-eyes vestigial-fourth-leg-pair feathery-mouthparts zooplankton scavenger pheromone-settlement-cue 3-mm-sexual-maturity 17%-parasite-prevalence branchial-chamber-parasite synchronous-growth-parasite-host castration visual-noise caustic-flicker polarization-sensitivity optomotor-assay tidal-creek spectrally-narrow-environment mitochondrial-DNA genetic-variability exceptional-range pre-Canal-Panama 1859 1930s-Florida lineage warm-temperate-Atlantic species-complex half-crab squat-lobster-relative true-crab false-crab Decapoda Malacostraca Arthropoda Crustacea Gibbes-1850 Porcellana-armata green-porcelain-crab Petrolisthes-armatus
Photinus ignitus
Ignited Firefly
Photinus ignitus is a North American firefly species distinguished by its bioluminescent courtship displays. Males produce characteristic flash patterns to attract females, who respond from perches in vegetation. Research has documented seasonal plasticity in female mate choice behavior, with females becoming less selective as the breeding season progresses. Like other Photinus species, it produces defensive compounds called lucibufagins that protect against predators.
firefly bioluminescence mate-choice seasonal-plasticity nuptial-gift aggressive-mimicry Lampyridae Coleoptera North-America flash-communication lucibufagin sexual-selection operational-sex-ratio cold-light photocytes luciferin luciferase nocturnal courtship predation-defense insect-decline light-pollution habitat-loss insecticide-exposure soil-dwelling-larvae glowworm predatory-larvae soft-bodied-prey snails slugs worms soil-insects biological-control flash-pattern female-choice male-choice body-size lantern-size reproductive-investment egg-provisioning spermatophore flash-signal mating-success selectivity breeding-season dusk night vegetation grass lawns forests fields edges canopy airspace Columbia-Maryland Washington-Baltimore-area University-of-Virginia-study light-pollution-impact mating-disruption urbanization residual-insecticides lawn-treatment weather-cycles food-availability larval-predation population-fluctuation banner-year spectacle July-4th Independence-Day Mother-Nature's-fireworks pyrotechnic twinkling galaxy cold-light-efficiency no-heat-production photocyte-cells specialized-light-organ terminal-abdominal-segments lightly-colored giant-eyes flash-detection visual-acuity nocturnal-vision chemical-ecology defensive-chemistry steroidal-pyrones toad-toxins spider-repellent bird-repellent femme-fatale predatory-exploitation chemical-acquisition defense-sequestration nuptial-feeding reproductive-success sexual-conflict flash-manipulation photographic-challenge flash-recharge female-contortion flash-directionality aimed-signal male-expendability female-investment offspring-production battery-life conservation-concern population-monitoring citizen-science Boston-Museum-of-Science firefly-data-project Allegheny-National-Forest synchronous-fireflies Photinus-carolinus Photuris-pennsylvanica Pennsylvania-Firefly-Festival FIRE-Team Lynn-Faust Sara-Lewis Thomas-Eisner Aerial-Firebaugh Kyle-Haynes chemical-ecology-pioneer experimental-study field-observation natural-history behavioral-ecology ethology journal-article peer-reviewed-research scientific-investigation insect-conservation nocturnal-insect beetle soft-winged-beetle not-true-bug not-fly Elateroidea Polyphaga Elateriformia Lampyrinae Lucidotini accepted-name Fall-1927 36-observations iNaturalist GBIF Catalogue-of-Life NCBI Wikipedia Bug-of-the-Week Entomology-Today incomplete-information data-limited research-opportunity further-study-needed
Trichopetalum
A genus of millipedes in the family Trichopetalidae, order Chordeumatida. Contains seven described species, all surface-dwelling or troglophilic. The genus is notable for the first documented authentic chordeumatidan spermatophores and the production of a sticky defensive secretion from segmental setae bases. Species occur in North America, primarily the United States.
millipede diplopoda chordeumatida trichopetalidae north-america defensive-secretion spermatophore surface-dwelling troglophilic