Parthenogenezissel

Parthenogenezissel is an adjective relating to parthenogenesis, the development of an organism from an unfertilized egg. In biology, the term is used to describe processes, traits, or organisms that reproduce or form embryos without paternal genetic contribution. Parthenogenesis can occur in plants and animals and is often contrasted with sexual reproduction.

In animals, parthenogenetic reproduction is found across a range of taxa, including many invertebrates such as rotifers, nematodes, and aphids, as well as some vertebrates. Notable vertebrate examples include certain reptiles, such as all-female whiptail lizard species, and some fish and shark lineages. In some species, parthenogenesis occurs only under specific conditions (facultative parthenogenesis), while in others it is the only mode of reproduction (obligate parthenogenesis).

Mechanisms of parthenogenesis vary. Some forms involve meiosis followed by restoration of diploidy (automixis), others bypass meiosis altogether (apomixis), and in plants, related processes can occur through apospory or diplospory. The genetic consequences often include reduced heterozygosity and possible clonal propagation of maternal genotypes, though some mechanisms can generate genetic variation through recombination or hybridization.

Parthenogenezissel features are analyzed in studies of evolution, developmental biology, and reproductive ecology. The phenomenon provides insight into alternative reproductive strategies, colonization potential in sparse populations, and the genetic and epigenetic regulation of early embryonic development. In practice, the term is primarily used in descriptive or comparative contexts rather than as a designation of a single, uniform mechanism.