Clasper

"Valva" redirects here. For other uses, see Valva (disambiguation).

The claspers of a spotted wobbegong shark (Orectolobus maculatus)

In biology, a clasper is a male anatomical structure found some groups of animals, used in mating.

Male cartilaginous fish have claspers formed from the posterior portion of their pelvic fin which serve as intromittent organs used to channel semen into the female's cloaca during mating. The act of mating in some fish including sharks usually includes one of the claspers raised to allow water into the siphon through a specific orifice. The clasper is then inserted into the vagina, where it opens like an umbrella to anchor its position. The siphon then begins to contract exerting water and sperm. Male chimaeras have cephalic claspers on their heads, which are thought to aid in holding the female during mating.

In entomology, it is a structure in male insects that is used to hold the female during copulation.

This insect anatomy-related article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.v · Categories: Fish anatomy Insect anatomy Reproduction Sex organs Fish stubs Insect anatomy stubs Wikimedia Foundation. 2010. Игры ⚽ Поможем сделать НИР Clasp to the Iron Cross Clasper (mathematics) Look at other dictionaries: Clasper — Clasp er (kl[.a]sp [ e]r), n. 1. One who, or that which, clasps, as a tendril. The claspers of vines. Derham. [1913 Webster] 2. (Zo[ o]l.) (a) One of a pair of organs used by the male for grasping the female among many of the Crustacea. (b) One… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English clasper — the rod like extension of the medial portion of the pelvic fin in male Elasmobranchii and Holocephali. Claspers are used as intromittent organs (not in clasping), the grooves on their facing surfaces together forming a tube for the transmission… …   Dictionary of ichthyology Clasper (mathematics) — In the mathematical field of low dimensional topology, a clasper is a surface (with extra structure) in a 3 manifold on which surgery can be performed. Contents 1 Motivation 2 Definition 3 Clasper calculus …   Wikipedia clasper gaff — the hook like structure on the inside of the clasper. Derived from denticles, e.g. in Squalus …   Dictionary of ichthyology clasper spine — one or more needle like spines which project from the distal end of claspers and are proportionally much larger than clasper hooks. Derived from denticles, e.g. in Squalus and the Jurassic Paleospinax …   Dictionary of ichthyology clasper — noun Date: circa 1847 a male copulatory structure: a. one of a pair of external anal processes of an insect that are used to grasp a female b. one of a pair of organs that are extensions of the pelvic fins of cartilaginous fishes …   New Collegiate Dictionary clasper — n. [ME. claspen, to embrace] 1. (ARTHROPODA: Crustacea) An appendage, including antenna, modified for holding of female during copulation; or an organ for fixation in parasites. 2. (ARTHROPODA: Insecta) a. A modified male appendage of certain… …   Dictionary of invertebrate zoology clasper — /klas peuhr, klah speuhr/, n. 1. a person or thing that clasps. 2. (in insects, fishes, crustaceans, etc.) one of the modified, usually paired organs or parts by which the male clasps the female during copulation. [1545 55; CLASP + ER1] * * * …   Universalium clasper — noun a) Anything that clasps b) Any of several appendages, in insects, crustacea and fish, that are used to clasp the female during copulation …   Wiktionary clasper — Appendage, including antenna, modified for holding female during copulation; or an organ for fixation in parasites [McLaughlin, 1980]. Appendage, including antenna, that serves for attachment in copulation or as organ for fixation in parasites… …   Crustacea glossary 18+ © Academic, 2000-2024 Contact us: Technical Support, Advertising Dictionaries export, created on PHP, Joomla, Drupal, WordPress, MODx. Mark and share Search through all dictionaries Translate… Search Internet Share the article and excerpts Direct link … Do a right-click on the link above and select “Copy Link”