Autogamize

Autogamize is a verb describing the biological process of self-fertilization or self-pollination, where an organism fertilizes its own eggs with its own pollen. The term stems from autogamy, with the prefix auto- meaning self and -gamy meaning marriage or union.

In botanical usage, autogamy refers to selfing within a single individual, often within a single flower, though it can also occur through cleistogamy, a form where flowers remain closed and self-pollinate. Autogamy is distinct from allogamy (cross-pollination between different individuals) and geitonogamy (pollination between flowers on the same plant). Autogamy can provide reproductive assurance when pollinators are scarce or unpredictable, but it generally reduces genetic diversity and can contribute to inbreeding depression over time. Many plants exhibit mixed mating systems, combining autogamy with occasional outcrossing to balance reliability with genetic variation. Traits that promote autogamy include self-compatibility, synchronous maturation of male and female gametes, and floral structures that facilitate self-pollination.

In animals, autogamy occurs in some hermaphroditic species capable of self-fertilization. Examples are observed in certain nematodes and flatworms, and in some self-fertilizing vertebrates within specific ecological contexts. In these cases, selfing can provide reproductive success in the absence of mates, though it often reduces genetic diversity compared with outcrossing.

Overall, autogamize describes a self-reliant reproductive strategy that can enhance persistence in challenging conditions but may influence genetic diversity and long-term evolutionary trajectories.