An unusual glandular differentiation of the male gonoducts in bivalves and its possible role in sperm transfer: the case of Carditamera plata (Ihering, 1907) (Carditidae)

Abstract

As a part of a research project focusing on the relationships between brooding, brood size, space available for brooding and the occurrence of ova resorption in species of Carditoidea, a remarkable previously undescribed structure at the terminal portion of the male ducts of Carditamera plata (Ihering, 1907) was found. The discovery is striking because the gonoducts of bivalves are generally thought to be as extremely simple structures, lined with a ciliated epithelium without prominent differentiations.