Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 1979 Mar 2;203(4383):916-8.
doi: 10.1126/science.203.4383.916.

Dual function of the damselfly penis: sperm removal and transfer

J K Waage

Dual function of the damselfly penis: sperm removal and transfer

J K Waage. Science. .

Abstract

The male of Calopteryx maculata (Beauvois) (Odonata) uses its penis not only to transfer sperm to the female but also to remove sperm deposited in the female's sperm storage organs from previous matings. Apparently, no such sperm removal function has previously been attributed to the intromittent organ of any animal.

PubMed Disclaimer

LinkOut - more resources