Ovoviviparity

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Ovoviviparity

Ovoviviparity (pronounced: ovo-vi-vi-parity) is a mode of reproduction in animals in which embryos develop inside eggs that are retained within the mother's body until they are ready to hatch.

Etymology

The term "ovoviviparity" is derived from the Latin words "ovo" meaning egg, "vivi" meaning live, and "parity" meaning birth. It essentially translates to "live birth from eggs".

Definition

Ovoviviparity is a reproductive strategy that is intermediate between oviparity (egg-laying) and viviparity (live birth). In ovoviviparous animals, the eggs are fertilized and develop within the mother's body, but there is no placental connection. The embryos are nourished by the egg yolk rather than by the mother's body. When the eggs hatch, the offspring are fully developed and are born live.

Examples

Many species of sharks, snakes, and insects are ovoviviparous. For example, the garter snake is a well-known ovoviviparous reptile, while the aphid is an example of an ovoviviparous insect.

Related Terms

  • Oviparity: A mode of reproduction in which females lay eggs with little or no embryonic development within the mother.
  • Viviparity: A mode of reproduction in which offspring develop within the mother's body and are born live.
  • Embryo: An early stage of development of a multicellular organism.
  • Placenta: An organ that connects the developing fetus to the uterine wall to allow nutrient uptake, waste elimination, and gas exchange.
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