Reproduction

Gastropods have a highly variable reproductive anatomy that differs among groups. In male and female proscobranchs, the testis and ovary are both situated in the visceral mass near the digestive cecum. In male prosobranchs, the penis carries the seminal groove from deep within the mantle cavity through the genital duct and is located next to the head behind the right cephalic tentacle. It is capable of being folded back into the mantle cavity when not in use for protection. Females have a ovipositor at the same location of the penis in males and this is used to guide egg capsules out of the ovary during reproduction (Graham, 1988).