THE REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEM IN THE MALE OF THE CENTIPEDE, SCOLOPENDRA MORSITANS LINN.

Abstract

SUMMARYThe male reproductive system of the centipede Scolopendra morsitans Linn, has been described. The genito‐anal region shows a characteristic ventral flexure on protrusion. There are twenty spindle‐shaped testes united in ten serially arranged pairs which, in an adult, overlap and are not uniformly orientated. The anterior vasa efferentia of a testicular pair join the vas deferens slightly behind the posterior ones of the preceding pair. The glandular epithelium of vas deferens seems to undergo anatomical disintegration in relation to its secretory activity. The genital arch produces a white granular, solid substance of unknown function. The spermatophore is a closed capsule made up of two separable coats. The accessory glands have the appearance of a compound tubulo‐acinar type, the larger pair opening by a common duct into an open ejaculatory canal lodged by the so‐called copulatory organ, while the smaller ones communicate independently with the genital atrium into which the “copulatory” organ is withdrawn. Since these glands are not in direct communication with the vas deferens they seem to have some function other than the formation of spermatophores which already exist in front in the vas deferens. The possibility of copulation has been examined in the light of available evidence.