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Science 2 March 1979:
Vol. 203. no. 4383, pp. 916 - 918
DOI: 10.1126/science.203.4383.916
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Articles

Dual Function of the Damselfly Penis: Sperm Removal and Transfer

JONATHAN K. WAAGE 1

1 Division of Biology and Medicine, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island 02912

The male of Calopteryx maculata (Beauvois) (Odonata) uses its penis not only to transfer sperm to the female but also to remove sperm deposited in the female's sperm storage organs from previous matings. Apparently, no such sperm removal function has previously been attributed to the intromittent organ of any animal.

Submitted on September 27, 1978
Revised on December 11, 1978


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