Ovoviviparous describes a reproductive strategy where the female retains eggs inside her body until they hatch or are ready to hatch. This means the embryos develop within the eggs inside the mother's body, receiving nourishment solely from the yolk of the egg, rather than directly from the mother. Once hatched, or very soon after, the young are then 'born'. This contrasts with both oviparous (egg-laying) and viviparous (live-bearing) reproduction.
Ovoviviparous meaning with examples
- Many species of sharks are ovoviviparous, providing the developing pups with safety inside the mother. This protection helps increase survival rates in the challenging ocean environment. After developing in their egg sacs, the young hatch internally and are then 'born' ready to face predators and hunt for food, increasing their odds.
- Some reptiles, like certain snakes, are ovoviviparous. The mother provides a safe, controlled environment for egg development inside her body. The hatched young emerge as miniature versions of their parents, having consumed the yolk of the egg for all their nutritional needs.
- The seahorse exhibits interesting reproductive biology; while the male carries the eggs, the eggs of some seahorses and their close relatives actually hatch within the male’s brood pouch, making them ovoviviparous as they receive no nutrients after leaving the egg.
- Certain species of insects are ovoviviparous, with the eggs hatching within the female's body, and then delivering live larvae. The larvae can often be immediately active and feeding, providing an advantage in terms of dispersal and exploitation of food resources from the outset.