gynogenesis
Quick Summary
Gynogenesis is a form of reproduction where an egg is activated by a sperm, but the sperm's genetic material does not fuse with the egg's nucleus. This results in an embryo that contains only maternal chromosomes. This process is sometimes referred to as pseudogamy or sperm-dependent parthenogenesis.12
In gynogenesis, the sperm's role is solely to stimulate the egg's development, without contributing its own genetic material to the offspring. This is distinct from typical sexual reproduction, where the genetic material from both sperm and egg combine to form a new individual. Gynogenesis has been observed in various species, including some nematodes, insects, mites, and salamanders.23
Ask Britannica AI about this topic
Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.
