Results for “reproduction”

larvophily

Reproductive strategy whereby the eggs are laid on a solid surface where they hatch before being brooded for a further period in the mouth of one or both parents. Seen in some Geophagus spp., for example.

matrotrophy

Reproductive strategy in which the embryo is supplied with additional nutrition from the mother, applied to some viviparous fishes.

Used in 1 profile

migrate

To periodically change location, especially seasonally, for reproductive or feeding purposes.

Used in 61 profiles

milt

The seminal, sperm-containing fluid of a male fish; male reproductive glands when they contain sperm.

Used in 145 profiles

monoecious

Having both the male and female reproductive organs in the same specimen; hermaphrodite. Opposite of dioecious.

natural selection

Term introduced by Charles Darwin referring to the nonrandom mechanism of evolution by which certain biological traits become either more or less common in a population due to differential, environmentally-influenced reproduction. Better-adapted individuals tend to produce more offspring, thus the population evolves, and this process can result in populations that gradually become specialised to inhabit particular ecological niches and can eventually result in the emergence of new species.

ovophily

Reproductive strategy whereby the eggs are laid on a solid surface where they are immediately collected and brooded in the mouth of one or both parents. Seen in some Geophagus spp., for example.

ovoviviparity

Reproductive strategy in which fertilisation occurs internally and the eggs develop inside the body of the mother until hatched, at which point live offspring are born. There is no placental connection between mother and embryo unlike in viviparous species.

ovum

Unfertilised female reproductive cell or gamete; unfertilised fish egg.

parthenogenesis

Method of asexual reproduction by which an unfertilized egg develops into a new individual exhibited by certain fishes.

Used in 1 profile

polyandry

Reproductive behaviour in which a female spawns with more than one male during the breeding season.

polygamy

Reproductive behaviour in which an individual spawns with more than a single partner during the breeding season.

polygyny

Reproductive behaviour in which a male spawns with more than one female during the breeding season.

Used in 1 profile

promiscuous

Not selective, especially used in reference to sexual behaviour. Sometimes used in reference to the reproductive behaviour of certain fishes.

sibling species

One of two or more very closely-related species that are reproductively isolated from one another but almost indistinguishable in morphologically and/or behaviourally. May occur sympatrically and even interbreed but are incapable of producing fertile hybrid offspring. Sometimes referred to as cryptic species.

Used in 3 profiles

vegetative

Of, relating to, or capable of growth, or functioning in processes such as growth or nutrition rather than sexual reproduction.

Used in 28 profiles