Autofecundation: meaning, definitions and examples
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autofecundation
[ ɔːtəʊfɪˈkʌndəʃən ]
biological process
Autofecundation refers to the process of self-fertilization, a reproductive method where an organism fertilizes its own ovules with its own sperm. This phenomenon is observed in various plant species and some hermaphroditic animals, where the ability to self-fertilize can be advantageous in isolated environments. Autofecundation can lead to a reduction in genetic diversity, but it ensures reproduction in the absence of a mate. The process is distinct from cross-fertilization, where two different organisms contribute genetic material. Understanding autofecundation is essential in studies of evolution and genetics.
Synonyms
self-fertilization, self-pollination
Examples of usage
- Many flowering plants exhibit autofecundation to ensure seed production.
- In certain species, autofecundation plays a crucial role in survival.
- Scientists study autofecundation to understand genetic variations.
Translations
Translations of the word "autofecundation" in other languages:
🇵🇹 autofecundação
🇮🇳 स्वप्रजनन
🇩🇪 Selbstbefruchtung
🇮🇩 autofekundasi
🇺🇦 автофекундація
🇵🇱 autofekundacja
🇯🇵 自家受粉
🇫🇷 autopollinisation
🇪🇸 autofecundación
🇹🇷 kendiliğinden döllenme
🇰🇷 자가 수정
🇸🇦 الخصب الذاتي
🇨🇿 autofekundace
🇸🇰 autofekundácia
🇨🇳 自花授粉
🇸🇮 avtofekundacija
🇮🇸 sjálfsfrjóvgun
🇰🇿 өздігінен ұрықтану
🇬🇪 ავტოფეკუნდაცია
🇦🇿 öz-özünə döllənmə
🇲🇽 autofecundación
Etymology
The term 'autofecundation' is derived from the combination of the prefix 'auto-', meaning 'self', and 'fecundation', which comes from the Latin 'fecundare', meaning 'to make fruitful'. The concept has been studied since the 19th century, particularly in the fields of botany and zoology, where researchers examined the reproductive strategies of various plant and animal species. Autofecundation allows certain species to adapt to environments where partners for sexual reproduction are scarce, thus demonstrating an interesting mechanism of evolution in response to ecological pressures. The study of autofecundation has implications in plant breeding, conservation biology, and genetics, as it highlights the balance between genetic diversity and reproductive success.