Cyphopods, also known as vulvae, are paired sacs in female millipedes that located on the underside of the third body segment that store sperm and connect to the oviduct.[1] Cyphopods are sclerotized, and usually hidden behind a small opening. Despite the connotation of the suffix -pod (generally referring to legs or feet), cyphopods are not derived from walking legs.[2]

Location of cyphopods (highlighted) in Ommatoiulus avatar
Cyphopd pair (left) and closeup of a single (right) in Eviulisoma

References

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  1. ^ Mesibov, Robert. "External Anatomy of Polydesmida: Cyphopods". polydesmida.info. Archived from the original on 2015-09-24. Retrieved 2015-08-27.
  2. ^ Hoffman, Richard (2011). "The curious genitalic structures of Tancitares michoacanus (Polydesmida, Rhachodesmidae)" (PDF). International Journal of Myriapodology. 5: 27–33. doi:10.3897/ijm.5.1899.