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How are ovoviviparous fishes different from viviparous fishes?
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Diodon hystrix is a species of porcupine fish. These fishes are short and broad-bodied, with large eyes and spines covering their skin. Like puffer fishes, they inflate their bodies when threatened.
In the context of fish reproduction, the primary difference between ovoviviparous and viviparous species lies in how the developing embryo receives nourishment.1
- Ovoviviparous fishes: These species retain their fertilized eggs within the female's body, but the developing embryos rely primarily on the yolk stored within the egg for their nutritional needs. The parent provides the developing young with shelter and oxygen, but does not provide direct nourishment.21
- Viviparous fishes: In these species, the female provides the developing young with shelter, oxygen, and direct nourishment, and she also excretes the metabolic wastes produced by the embryo. This process often involves specialized maternal and embryonic structures, such as a placenta or other vascular adaptations, to facilitate the transfer of nutrients and waste.21
Both strategies allow for live birth, which generally results in fewer offspring born at a larger size compared to egg-laying species, providing a survival advantage by reducing the young's vulnerability to predators.1