noun
- plural of spermatheca; specialized organs in female insects and other invertebrates that store sperm after mating
Usage: biological term; plural form
Examples
- The queen bee’s spermathecae can store sperm for several years.
- Researchers examined the spermathecae of various ant species.
- The structure of spermathecae varies among different insect orders.
- Sperm viability in the spermathecae affects reproductive success.
- The female spider’s spermathecae allow for delayed fertilization.
- Scientists studied how spermathecae function in beetle reproduction.