Terms
Asexual reproduction – reproduction with only one parent which therefore lacks the fertilization of an egg or genetic exchange, so that all offspring are genetically identical to the parent.
Cooperative breeding - reproductive strategy in which parents recruit either other adults or previous offspring to help rear young.
Fertilization - the fusion of complementary gametes, resulting in the formation of a zygote which will develop into a genetically distinct individual.
Gamete - haploid reproductive cell which fuse during sexual reproduction; includes sperm and ova.
Hermaphroditic – having both male and female reproductive structures.
Oviparity - laying eggs with little embryonic development within the parent.
Ovoviviparous - producing eggs internally, which then hatch, so that the parent gives birth to live young; a variety of viviparity.
Ovuliparty - fecundation (fertilization) is external.
Ovum - female haploid gamete; comparatively large and immobile.
Parthenogenesis - asexual reproduction, without need of a mate or mating; species can both be parthenogenetic, as with certain all-female species of whiptail lizards, or participate in both parthenogenetic and sexual reproduction.
Polygynandrous - a polygamous mating system which includes multiple males and females, often more females than males; mating occurs only within this group.
Polygynous - sexual behavior in which a single male mates with multiple females, but females mate with only one male.
Self-fertilization – mating practice in certain hermaphroditic species.
Semelparity – producing offspring only once and then dying soon afterwards.
Sexual reproduction – reproduction involving the fusion of gametes.
Spawning - depositing a mass of eggs (ova) and sperm in water, where they meet and are fertilized; particularly common in fish and amphibians.
Sperm - male haploid gamete; small and mobile.
Traumatic insemination – also known as hypodermic insemination, mating practice in which the male pierces the abdomen of the female with his penis and injects his sperm through the resultant wound.
Viviparous - bearing live young that have developed within the mother’s body.
