Radix sp., showing copulation. The top snail is inserting its preputium (with penis at the preputium's tip) into the female gonopore of the bottom snail. The female gonopore is at the posterior of the "neck" stalk. The male gonopore is behind the right tentacle. During copulation, the preputium enverts carrying the penis at it enverted tip. Turgor pressure forces the preputium and penis out; penial retractor muscles pull it back after copulation. The vas deferens can be seen inside the preputium.
John B. Burch (photographer; copyright holder), Mollusk Division, Museum of Zoology, University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
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To cite this page: Burch, J.2004. "14.rjb2.jpg" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed November 26, 2024 at https://animaldiversity.org/collections/contributors/jack_burch/14.rjb2/
Disclaimer: The Animal Diversity Web is an educational resource written largely by and for college students. ADW doesn't cover all species in the world, nor does it include all the latest scientific information about organisms we describe. Though we edit our accounts for accuracy, we cannot guarantee all information in those accounts. While ADW staff and contributors provide references to books and websites that we believe are reputable, we cannot necessarily endorse the contents of references beyond our control.
This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation Grants DRL 0089283, DRL 0628151, DUE 0633095, DRL 0918590, and DUE 1122742. Additional support has come from the Marisla Foundation, UM College of Literature, Science, and the Arts, Museum of Zoology, and Information and Technology Services.
The ADW Team gratefully acknowledges their support.