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Animal Reproduction

There are two main types of animal reproduction: asexual and sexual. Asexual reproduction involves only one parent and produces genetically identical offspring through budding, fragmentation, or twinning. This process is faster but lacks genetic variation. Sexual reproduction involves two parents and produces genetically unique offspring through the fertilization of eggs. It provides genetic variation essential for evolution, but takes more time and resources. Examples of both asexual and sexual reproduction methods are provided.

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80 views2 pages

Animal Reproduction

There are two main types of animal reproduction: asexual and sexual. Asexual reproduction involves only one parent and produces genetically identical offspring through budding, fragmentation, or twinning. This process is faster but lacks genetic variation. Sexual reproduction involves two parents and produces genetically unique offspring through the fertilization of eggs. It provides genetic variation essential for evolution, but takes more time and resources. Examples of both asexual and sexual reproduction methods are provided.

Uploaded by

Ninda Santika
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Animal Reproduction takes more time to find a mate, requires

courtship rituals, nesting, parenting skills,


etc
Most animals can reproduce both asexually and
sexually.
results in genetically unique individuals or
offspring
Asexual reproduction produces genetically identical
copies (ie. clones) while sexual reproduction
Sexual reproduction provides much of the
produces genetically unique offspring.
genetic variation required for evolution
and adaptation.
There are advantages and disadvantages to both
types of reproduction: Examples of Asexual Reproduction
Asexual reproduction Budding: A very common type of asexual
reproduction especially in colonial animals
makes identical copies (clones) of the parent.
In budding a new offspring begins as an outgrowth
Only a single parent is required of the parent and may either remain attached
and form a colony or break away and begin an
the process is much quicker than in sexual independent life.
reproduction.
Fragmentation: Some animals spontaneously break
Asexual reproduction is beneficial when into many separate pieces which then regrow into
resources are abundant. a complete animal.
Sexual reproduction Polyembryony (twinning): A type of asexual
reproduction in which the embryo or larva
involves the fertilization of a female’s egg by a (resulting from sexual reproduction) then clones
male’s sperm itself into separate individuals.

For example armadillos typically produce 4


identical offspring from a single fertilized egg.
Zoology: Animal Reproduction 8/27/15 1 Zoology: Animal Reproduction 8/27/15 2

In some parasitic animals each different larva is Monoecious Animals (Hermaphrodites):


able to clone copies of itself. This allows a Monoecious organisms are those containing both
single egg to produce 100’s of potential male and female reproductive organs.
offspring and enhances chances that at least a
few will be able to find a new host to complete About 15% of animals, especially those that are
their life cycle. In humans this process occurs sessile (nonmotile) or parasitic, tend to be
occasionally to produce identical twins. hermaphrodites.

Regeneration: This process is most commonly used Dioecious Animals: These are organisms that
not as a form of reproduction but to replace produce either male or female reproductive
missing or damaged parts. organs and gametes but never both at the same
time.
Some organisms have great powers of
regeneration while others can only regenerate Protandry: is the ability in some animals to switch
simple cells and tissues. their sex based on environmental cues such
as changes in temperature.
Humans for example regenerate all their bone
tissue about every 7 years and all their Sexual Dimorphism: Sometimes it is impossible to
blood cells about every 4 months. distinguish the male from the female of a species
by outward appearance.
In other animals, such as lizards and arthropods,
tails or whole limbs can be replaced. Starfish In other dioecious animals the males and females
can regenerate new “arms” when one is are not identical, but differ in appearance,
broken off and sometimes a single arm can thus showing dimorphism.
regenerate an entire starfish.
For example, in most invertebrates the male is
Examples of Sexual Reproduction usually smaller than the female, while in
vertebrates the female is usually the
Most variations in sexual reproduction depend on smaller one.
where the gametes come from or whether the
developing egg has been fertilized or not.
Zoology: Animal Reproduction 8/27/15 3 Zoology: Animal Reproduction 8/27/15 4
In addition to size, dimorphism may also
result in differences in structures and color
between genders.

In birds the male is usually more brightly


colored.

Parthenogenesis (‘virgin birth’): this process only


regularly occurs in nonhuman animals, both
vertebrates and invertebrates.

In these cases the unfertilized egg is able to


develop even though it has not been fertilized
by a sperm.

Most rotifers, brine shrimp and some social


insects such as bees and ants regularly
reproduce this way.

Some higher animals such as fish and frogs


can also sometimes reproduce in this way.

Zoology: Animal Reproduction 8/27/15 5

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