gonopods

Classification · Identification · Internet References

Classification

Kingdom Animalia (Animals)

Phylum Arthropoda (Arthropods)

No Taxon (Glossary)

No Taxon (G)

No Taxon gonopods

Identification

Gonopods are highly modified legs used to transfer spermatophores (packets of sperm) to the females during reproduction. (1) In all millipedes except for the Polyxenida and Pentazonia, one or more pairs of legs on the 7th or 8th segment are modified into gonopods. These gonopods can resemble reduced legs (such as in the Polyzoniida), but are often modified so as to look unrecognizable as legs (such as in the Chordeumatida).

Gonopods of a Polydesmid millipede

Internet References

(1) www.bio-medicine.org

Contributed by Lynette Elliott on 24 March, 2009 - 10:15am
Additional contributions by DerekHennen, biosam
Last updated 4 July, 2015 - 3:44pm

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