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

External links

• Cirrate male reproductive tract from TOLWeb

v t e 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 Dermal structures Fins (wings) Flotation devices ("secondary fins") Mantle locking-apparatus Tail Internal anatomy Branchial hearts Ctenidia (gills) Hepatopancreas (digestive gland) Ink sac and ink Needham's sac Nephridia ("kidneys") Nidamental glands Osphradium Pericardial glands Funnel Foveola Funnel groove Funnel locking-apparatus Funnel organ Funnel retractor muscles Funnel valve Head and limbs Brachial crown Arms Hectocotylus Tentacles Carpus Dactylus Manus Suckers and hooks Buccal region Aptychus Beak Odontophore Radula Occipital region Occipital crest Occipital folds (nuchal folds) Occipital membrane Olfactory organ Nuchal organ Other parts Eyes Cornea Eye pore Eyelid sinus Secondary eyelid Statocysts General Chromatophores Photophores Nervous system Squid giant axon Squid giant synapse Developmental stages: Spawn → Paralarva (Doratopsis stage) → Juvenile → Subadult → Adult • Protoconch (embryonic shell)