‖ gonangium Zool.
(gɒˈnændʒɪəm)
Pl. -ia.
[mod.L., f. Gr. γόν-ος generation + ἀγγεῖον vessel.]
An external chitinous receptacle within which, in the calyptoblastic genera of Hydrozoa, the sporosacs or planoblasts are developed. Hence goˈnangial a.
| 1871 Allman Gymnoblastic Hydroids 26 Peculiar receptacles—the gonangia—destined for the protection of the sexual buds. Ibid. 47 In some cases the contents of the gonangium escape. 1877 Huxley Anat. Inv. Anim. iii. 131 The gonophore contained in a gonangium. Ibid. In the genus Aglaophenia groups of gonangia are enclosed in a common receptacle. |