Parthenogenesis is a particular case of reproduction, in which the embryo develops from an egg, without the female being fertilized by a male.
Thus, the offspring originate from unfertilized eggs and have genetic material of maternal origin.
Parthenogenesis occurs in insects, crustaceans, arachnids and in some species of fish, amphibians and reptiles.
O Tityus serrulatus, the yellow scorpion, occurs in Brazil and is an example of an animal that reproduces by parthenogenesis. There are only female yellow scorpions.
Types of Parthenogenesis
- Arenotoca: when eggs develop only males.
- Tellytoca: when eggs develop only females.
- Deuterotoca: when eggs develop males and females.
Parthenogenesis in bees
In bees, fertile females produce haploid eggs that may or may not be fertilized by males.
When not fertilized, they develop by parthenogenesis and give rise to haploid males. When fertilized, they give rise to female workers or queens.
This variation is due to the type of food received during development as larvae. The larvae that will be workers receive honey and pollen. Those who will be queens also receive royal jelly.
Learn more about societies in the animal world.
polyembryony
Polyembryony is the formation of several embryos from a single zygote. Generally, polyembryony can be associated with parthenogenesis.
Thus, during mitotic divisions, each cell can give rise to an individual. Individuals formed are very similar and of the same sex. Humans can have this reproductive type, it happens in the formation of identical twins.
Also know about the sexual reproduction.
