Glossary

gamete

Cell that fuses with another during fertilization in organisms employing sexual reproduction, e.g., an egg or sperm cell.

Related terms

broadcast spawner
A fish which releases its gametes into open water for external fertilisation, with no subsequent parental care. The strategy is more commonly-seen in marine than freshwater species.
egg
Object laid by a female bird, reptile, fish, or invertebrate, normally roun or oval-shaped and containing a developing embryo surrounded by nutrient material and a protective case or shell; a female gamete; an ovum.
genital papilla
Small tube arising from the urogenital opening in some fishes through which male or female gametes are expelled. May only be visible during the reproductive period depending on taxon. Its shape can sometimes used as a feature to identify the gender of an individual.
gonad
Any organ that produces gametes, e.g., a testicle or ovary.
gonopodium
Modified anal fin used in copulation for the transfer of male gametes to a female. In many cases only the anterior part of the fin is modified.
intromittent
Used in reference to a modified fin of a male which aids in transfer of gametes to the female during reproduction.
ovum
Unfertilised female reproductive cell or gamete; unfertilised fish egg.
reproduction
Production of offspring via a sexual or asexual process.
strip
To artificially remove gametes from for captive breeding; to forcefully remove eggs or fry from the buccal cavity of a mouthbrooding fish in order to hatch/raise them elsewhere.