A note on the accessory glands of the reproductive system of the scolopendromorph centipede, Cormocephalus anceps anceps Porat

Abstract

The function of the reproductive accessory glands has not before been investigated. Their prominence arouses interest in their possible function. A preliminary histological, histochemical, and biochemical analysis has been undertaken in order to start to answer this question. No definite conclusions can, however, be made from the results obtained. From evidence accumulated on the behaviour of the sexes and the peaks of secretion production it seems likely that the product of the female glands would be used to coat the eggs with a colleterial substance. The male Geophilomorpha, Scolopendromorpha, and Lithobiomorpha all spin webs on which they place a spermatophore during courtship, and all three groups possess two well developed pairs of accessory glands which may be responsible for the production of web material. The Scutigeromorpha, on the other hand, only possess a single vestigeal pair of glands and do not spin a web. It is suggested that the accessory glands of the male produce web material although this still remains unproven.

Adding mitochondrial sequence data (16S rRNA and cytochrome c oxidase subunit I) to the phylogeny of centipedes (Myriapoda: Chilopoda): an analysis of morphology and four molecular loci

“…Dohle (1990) interpreted a cone behind the genital sternite in Craterostigmus as a ‘Spinngriffel’ device. Brunhuber and Hall (1970) recognized the same structure in scolopendrids (the so‐called penis) as a spinneret. The presence of a single pair of vestigial male accessory glands in the Scutigeromorpha, compared with two pairs in Pleurostigmophora, may be linked to the presence or absence of the spermatophore web if the accessory glands are the source of the web material (Brunhuber and Hall 1970).…”

“…Brunhuber and Hall (1970) recognized the same structure in scolopendrids (the so‐called penis) as a spinneret. The presence of a single pair of vestigial male accessory glands in the Scutigeromorpha, compared with two pairs in Pleurostigmophora, may be linked to the presence or absence of the spermatophore web if the accessory glands are the source of the web material (Brunhuber and Hall 1970). We code the spermatophore web of Pleurostigmophora based on the presence of a penis. Bean‐shaped spermatophore with tough, multi‐layered wall: (0) absent; (1) present.…”

Arthropod Cladistics: Combined Analysis of Histone H3 and U2 snRNA Sequences and Morphology

“…not produce a web) have a single, rudimentary pair 189. Embryonic gonoduct origin: 0, gonoduct arising (Brunhuber and Hall, 1970). as a mesodermal coelomoduct; 1, gonoduct arising as 194.…”

The Rheology behind Stress-Induced Solidification in Native Silk Feedstocks

“…This family of natural protein fibres, which is widely produced by all spiders [1,2,3,4], many insects [2,5,6,7,8,9,10] and some other arthropods [2,11,12,13], has provided inspiration for artists [14], resources for traders [15,16,17] and motivation for scientists [18,19,20,21], from its earliest use for textiles in China [17], to the latest scientific research into advanced biomaterials and other uses [22,23,24,25,26,27]. Much of this endeavour has concentrated on the impressive mechanical properties of fibres produced by Lepidopteran larvae (i.e., the domesticated Bombyx mori ( B. mori ) and other wild silk moths) or spiders [4,21,28,29,30,31,32,33,34,35].…”