hectocotylus

[ hek-tuh-kot-l-uhs ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

, Zoology.

, plural hec·to·cot·y·li [hek-t, uh, -, kot, -l-ahy].

a modified arm of the male of certain cephalopods that is used to transfer sperm to the female.

hectocotylus

/ ˌhɛktəʊˈkɒtɪləs /

a tentacle in certain male cephalopod molluscs, such as the octopus, that is specialized for transferring spermatozoa to the female

1850–55; < New Latin, equivalent to hecto- hecto- + -cotylus < Greek kotýlē cup

C19: New Latin, from hecto- + Greek kotulē cup

Arms long and equal, without membrane; hectocotylus not autotomous.

Hectocotylus autotomous; arms unequal in size; aquiferous pores on head and funnel.

April 24, 2024gallimaufry

[gal-uh-maw-free ]

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