nematode The nematodes ( or grc-gre, Νηματώδη; la, Nematoda) or roundworms constitute the phylum Nematoda (also called Nemathelminthes), with plant-Parasitism, parasitic nematodes also known as eelworms. They are a diverse animal phylum inhab ...

s, spicules, also known as copulatory spicules, are needle-like mating structures found only in males. Male nematodes may have one or two spicules which serve to open the vulva of females and facilitate the transmission of

sperm Sperm is the male reproductive cell, or gamete, in anisogamous forms of sexual reproduction (forms in which there is a larger, female reproductive cell and a smaller, male one). Animals produce motile sperm with a tail known as a flagellum, whi ...

, although sperm is not transferred directly by or through the spicules.Chitwood, B. G. & Chitwood, M. B. (1950). Introduction to Nematology (Vol. 1). Baltimore: Monumental Printing Co. (Function of spicule: pages 123-124) The

gubernaculum The paired gubernacula (from Ancient Greek κυβερνάω = pilot, steer) also called the caudal genital ligament, are embryonic structures which begin as undifferentiated mesenchyme attaching to the caudal end of the gonads (testes in male ...

is another organ of the nematode male copulatory system which guides the spicules during copulation.

References

Nematode anatomy Animal male reproductive system {{nematode-stub