Difference between revisions of "Vivipary"
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(Added some information about transition between oviparous reproduction to viviparous reproduction. I'm planning to extend on this article later.) |
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| − | Vivipary refers to the retention of the embryo inside the body of a mother resulting in the live birth of offspring. | + | Vivipary refers to the retention of the embryo inside the body of a mother resulting in the live birth of offspring in animals. The term can also be used to refer to plants in cases where the seed germinates before they detach from the parent, as opposed to germinating after<ref>http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/vivipary</ref>. |
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| + | == Observed cases of vivipary == | ||
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| + | The transition from oviparous animals to viviparous animals is a well observed and documented process. A notable example is that of the Skink group of lizards, which have been observed in several stages of egg cell retention in the transition from oviparous birth to viviparous birth, particularly when environmental conditions have forced such a change where it is beneficial to retain the egg <ref>http://www.jstor.org/pss/2460311</ref>. | ||
Revision as of 16:14, July 23, 2011
Vivipary refers to the retention of the embryo inside the body of a mother resulting in the live birth of offspring in animals. The term can also be used to refer to plants in cases where the seed germinates before they detach from the parent, as opposed to germinating after[1].
Observed cases of vivipary
The transition from oviparous animals to viviparous animals is a well observed and documented process. A notable example is that of the Skink group of lizards, which have been observed in several stages of egg cell retention in the transition from oviparous birth to viviparous birth, particularly when environmental conditions have forced such a change where it is beneficial to retain the egg [2].