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The World of Protozoa, Rotifera, Nematoda and Oligochaeta

Ref ID : 874

C.L. Duggal; Copulatory behaviour of male Panagrellus redivivus. Nematologica 24:257-268, 1978

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The copulatory behaviour of Panagrellus redivivus is described and that of the male related to its age and reproductive state. Some observations are made on the structure of the male reproductive system. Male P. redivivus show both pre- and post-insemination coiling around the female and use their spicules to probe and open the female gonopore, and as a channel for the sperm. The frequency of copulation of male nematodes and its effect on the number of sperm produced and on the nematodes' life-span was examined and related to development and longevity of ageing virgin males. The number of sperm shed into the uterus of the female increased with increasing intervals between copulations.