Ref ID : 5088
Roland C. Aloia and Richard L. Moretti; Mating behavior and ultrastructural aspects of copulation in the rotifer Asplanchna brightwelli. Trans.Amer.Micros.Soc. 92(3):371-380, 1973
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Copulation in the Asplanchna rotifers appears to occur by hypodermic insemination in which the male copulatory organ is pressed tightly against the female integument with the subsequent transfer of spermatozoa through the integument and into the pseudocoel. The mating behavior transcends four successive stages of (1) coronal contact of the male, (2) body arching of the male, (3) copulatory organ attachment, and (4) copulation. The process requires about 60 sec, during the latter part of which the male is pulled behind the female solely by the copulatory organ attachment. Electron microscopical examination of this attachment reveals an extra fibrous substance between the tightly juxtaposed surfaces which may function in some manner in formation of the firm bond between the female integument and the male copulatory organ.