Natascha Steffanie

Hasselt University · Centre for Environmental Sciences (CMK)

Before copulation in Dugesia gonocephala, eosinophilic secretions of glands in the penis diaphragm and in the most proximal part of the ejaculatory duct accumulate in the funnel-shaped part of the ejaculatory duct and cohere to form a sclerotized, tubular structure, sealed at the distal end and covered internally with secretions of glands at the ti...

Sperm-dependent parthenogens are expected to promote higher female fecundity at the expense of the production of excessive numbers of sperm. They are also expected to trade sperm strictly. in order to compensate for the loss of nutrients invested in sperm, that otherwise could be allocated to the female function. In this paper. we present evidence...

In Dugesia gonocephala, unlike other planarians, the cells of the copulatory bursa fulfill both a secretory and phagocytic function. Enzymes are synthesized in the absence of a spermatophore and are secreted into the lumen of the bursa when a spermatophore is received from a partner. During the days following copulation, seminal material is engulfe...