reproductively

Reproductively is an adverb derived from the adjective reproductive. It describes actions, processes, or characteristics that pertain to reproduction or the propagation of genes. In scientific writing, it is used to refer to aspects related to the ability to reproduce, reproductive timing, or reproductive success, though it is less common than the adjective form.

Origin and usage: The word follows standard English morphology, adding -ly to the base adjective. It appears mainly in biology, ecology, ethology, and genetics, where discussions center on aspects of reproduction. Because English usage often favors the adjective reproductive or the noun reproduction, reproductively can sound opaque or overly formal in non-technical writing.

In practice, writers usually prefer alternatives such as in reproduction, with respect to reproduction, reproduction-related, or reproductive success. For example, researchers might say that a trait influences reproductive success, rather than saying it affects reproductively successful outcomes. When the reproductive dimension is specifically being discussed, reproductively may appear in more technical or specialized sentences to emphasize the relation to reproductive processes or timing.

Related terms and concepts include reproductive, reproduction, reproductive isolation, and reproductivity, which cover adjacent notions such as the biology of producing offspring, speciation barriers, and capacity for generating progeny.

See also: reproductive; reproduction; reproductive isolation; reproductivity.