Ootheca
An ootheca Template:IPAc-en (Template:Plural form: oothecae Template:IPAc-en) is a type of egg capsule made by any member of a variety of species including mollusks (such as Turbinella laevigata), mantises, and cockroaches.<ref name="P. americana">Template:Cite journal</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref name="Turbinella" />
EtymologyEdit
The word is a Latinized combination of oo-, meaning "egg", from the Greek word ōon (cf. Latin ovum), and theca, meaning a "cover" or "container", from the Greek theke. Ootheke is Greek for ovary.
StructureEdit
Oothecae are made up of structural proteins and tanning agents that cause the protein to harden around the eggs, providing protection and stability.<ref name="P. americana"/> The production of ootheca convergently evolved across numerous insect species due to a selection for protection from parasites and other forms of predation, as the complex structure of the shell casing provides an evolutionary reproductive advantage (although the fitness and lifespan also depend on other factors such as the temperature of the incubating ootheca). <ref>Template:Cite journal</ref><ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> Oothecae are most notably found in the orders Blattodea (Cockroaches) and Mantodea (Praying mantids), as well as in the subfamilies Cassidinae (Coleoptera) and Korinninae (Phasmatodea).<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
FunctionsEdit
The ootheca protects the eggs from microorganisms, parasitoids, predators, and weather. Its composition and appearance vary depending on species and environment.<ref name="Insekten">Template:Cite book</ref><ref>Template:Cite journal</ref><ref name="Turbinella">Template:Cite journal</ref>
Image galleryEdit
- Cockroach egglaying 1.jpg
Female cockroach (Periplaneta americana) with ootheca
- Blatella germanica cdc.jpg
Female cockroach (Blatella germanica) with ootheca
- Mantis ootheca in Marine Park (91115).jpg
Chinese mantis ootheca
- Mantis ootheca Sliced open (Hierodula patellifera).jpg
Sagittal section of mantis ootheca (Hierodula patellifera) already hatched out
- Praying Mantis (Mantis religiosa religiosa) Ootheca 02.jpg
Praying mantis (Mantis religiosa) ootheca in Ontario, Canada.
- Praying Mantis (Mantis religiosa religiosa) Ootheca 06.jpg
Damaged praying mantis (Mantis religiosa) ootheca in Ontario, Canada.
- Ootheca of a Blattodea.jpg
Ootheca of a blattodea
- Blaptica dubia ootéka.jpg
Blaptica dubia – ootheca in an artificial colony
- Praying mantis (Mantis religiosa) ootheca Cap Bon.jpg
Praying mantis (Mantis religiosa)
See alsoEdit
- Sang piao xiao, mantis oothecae used in traditional Chinese medicine
- Egg cases, also known as egg capsules
ReferencesEdit
External linksEdit
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