A note on the accessory glands of the reproductive system of the scolopendromorph centipede, Cormocephalus anceps anceps Porat

The function of the reproductive accessory glands has not before been investigated. Their prominence arouses interest in their possible function. A preliminary histological, histochemical, and biochemical analysis has been undertaken in order to start to answer this question. No definite conclusions can, however, be made from the results obtained. From evidence accumulated on the behaviour of the sexes and the peaks of secretion production it seems likely that the product of the female glands would be used to coat the eggs with a colleterial substance. The male Geophilomorpha, Scolopendromorpha, and Lithobiomorpha all spin webs on which they place a spermatophore during courtship, and all three groups possess two well developed pairs of accessory glands which may be responsible for the production of web material. The Scutigeromorpha, on the other hand, only possess a single vestigeal pair of glands and do not spin a web. It is suggested that the accessory glands of the male produce web material although this still remains unproven.