clitellum

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clitellum

(klī-tĕl′əm)
n. pl. cli·tella (-tĕl′ə)
A glandular swelling of the epidermis of certain annelid worms, such as earthworms, that secretes a viscous fluid to form a cocoon in which the eggs are deposited.

clitellum

a saddle-like structure present around part of the anterior half of some ANNELID worms which contains glands that secrete mucus, forming a sheath round copulating animals and a cocoon round the eggs.
References in periodicals archive ?
Although examined individuals reveal external and internal maturity, having well developed clitella, tubercula pubertatis and spermathecae, iridescence was observed in tiny parts of the ampullae in only two individuals.
No iridescent was observed in the spermathecae, although all examined individuals have clitella.
Pre-testical spermathecal pores and unusual setal arrangement in the South African endemic microchaetid earthworms of presumed Gondwanan origin (Oligochaeta: Microchaetidae)
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