hectocotylus
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English
Etymology
From New Latin, corresponding to hecto- + Ancient Greek κότυλος (kótulos, “small cup”).
Noun
hectocotylus (plural hectocotyli)
- (zoology) A modified arm of any of several male cephalopods that functions as a reproductive organ by transferring sperm to the mantle of the female.
- 2017, Danna Staaf, Squid Empire, ForeEdge, →ISBN, page 170:
- When not in use, the male's hectocotylus hides in a pouch, leaving him to go about his business with only seven arms.
- 2018 January 24, Elsa Panciroli, The Guardian:
- The hectocotylus, like many other genitals, is made of soft tissues which are unlikely to be fossilised.