sperm competition
sperm competition Competition between sperm from different males to reach and fertilize the egg cell of a single female. Sperm competition can occur among rodents in which a male mates a number of times with the same female, with a rest period between successive matings during which the sperm journeys towards the egg. If a second male mates with the female during a rest period its own sperm may disrupt the movement of sperm from the first male and succeed in fertilizing the egg cell. Certain animals in which sperm competition is possible have evolved features to minimize this interference. For example, in moths and butterflies the male cements the opening of the female genitalia after mating, thereby preventing further matings with other males. An ingenious mechanism operates in the fly Johannseniella nitida, in which the female eats a copulating male except for his genitalia, which remain in the body of the female and prevent further mating.
sperm competition
sperm competition The competition to fertilize an ovum which occurs among sperm from different males when the female has mated with more than one partner. It is believed that certain sperms, different in appearance from ordinary sperms and incapable of fertilizing the ovum, but present in large numbers, are involved in repelling or disabling sperms from the rival male.
sperm competition
sperm competition The competition to fertilize an ovum that occurs among sperm from different males when the female has mated with more than one partner. It is believed that certain sperms, different in appearance to ordinary sperms and incapable of fertilizing the ovum, but present in large numbers, are involved in repelling or disabling sperms from the rival male.
More From encyclopedia.com
Behavior , Amphibians are not by nature especially social creatures. Most live solitary lives, and even when they form temporary aggregations, they tend to igno… Arrhenotoky , arrhenotoky The phenomenon occurring in the reproduction of certain animals in which fertilized eggs give rise to females and unfertilized eggs to ma… Male , male
1. Denoting the gamete (sex cell) that, during sexual reproduction, fuses with a female gamete in the process of fertilization. Male gametes are… gynandromorph , gynandromorph An animal that possesses both male and female characteristics because it is genetically a mosaic, i.e. some of its cells are geneticall… Male Island , Male is a term descriptive of sexual differentiation within a species. The human male is distinct from the human female in that the type of gametes i… Polyandry , polyandry •Barry, Carrie, carry, Cary, Clarrie, Gary, glengarry, harry, intermarry, Larry, marry, miscarry, parry, tarry •angry • chapelry • cavalry…
About this article
sperm competition
All Sources -
You Might Also Like
NEARBY TERMS
sperm competition