Clasper — Clasp er (kl[.a]sp [ e]r), n. 1. One who, or that which, clasps, as a tendril. The claspers of vines. Derham. [1913 Webster] 2. (Zo[ o]l.) (a) One of a pair of organs used by the male for grasping the female among many of the Crustacea. (b) One… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
clasper — the rod like extension of the medial portion of the pelvic fin in male Elasmobranchii and Holocephali. Claspers are used as intromittent organs (not in clasping), the grooves on their facing surfaces together forming a tube for the transmission… … Dictionary of ichthyology
Clasper — Valva redirects here. For other uses, see Valva (disambiguation). The claspers of a spotted wobbegong shark (Orectolobus maculatus) In biology, a clasper is a male anatomical structure found some groups of animals, used in mating. Male… … Wikipedia
Clasper (mathematics) — In the mathematical field of low dimensional topology, a clasper is a surface (with extra structure) in a 3 manifold on which surgery can be performed. Contents 1 Motivation 2 Definition 3 Clasper calculus … Wikipedia
clasper gaff — the hook like structure on the inside of the clasper. Derived from denticles, e.g. in Squalus … Dictionary of ichthyology
clasper spine — one or more needle like spines which project from the distal end of claspers and are proportionally much larger than clasper hooks. Derived from denticles, e.g. in Squalus and the Jurassic Paleospinax … Dictionary of ichthyology
clasper — noun Date: circa 1847 a male copulatory structure: a. one of a pair of external anal processes of an insect that are used to grasp a female b. one of a pair of organs that are extensions of the pelvic fins of cartilaginous fishes … New Collegiate Dictionary
clasper — n. [ME. claspen, to embrace] 1. (ARTHROPODA: Crustacea) An appendage, including antenna, modified for holding of female during copulation; or an organ for fixation in parasites. 2. (ARTHROPODA: Insecta) a. A modified male appendage of certain… … Dictionary of invertebrate zoology
clasper — noun a) Anything that clasps b) Any of several appendages, in insects, crustacea and fish, that are used to clasp the female during copulation … Wiktionary
clasper — Appendage, including antenna, modified for holding female during copulation; or an organ for fixation in parasites [McLaughlin, 1980]. Appendage, including antenna, that serves for attachment in copulation or as organ for fixation in parasites… … Crustacea glossary