spawning

Spawning refers to the production of offspring or the creation of new individuals in various contexts, most often in biology and ecology, but also in technology, computing, and gaming. In biological terms it describes the reproductive process by which a species propagates, sometimes through external fertilization, broadcasting eggs and sperm into the environment, or through other developmental pathways.

In aquatic animals such as many fish and amphibians, spawning commonly involves releasing eggs and sperm into the water, where fertilization occurs externally. The timing and success of spawning are influenced by environmental cues including temperature, light, and lunar cycles. Some species exhibit synchronized mass spawning, while others spawn opportunistically. Corals and many marine invertebrates also rely on broadcast spawning, producing gametes into the sea as a reproductive strategy. This can result in large, episodic events that increase fertilization chances but depend on favorable conditions like water temperature and currents.

In fungi and some plants, spawning is used colloquially to describe the production and release of reproductive units such as spores, enabling dispersal and colonization.

In ecology and fisheries science, spawning is used to identify critical life-history stages. Spawning stock biomass and spawning grounds are monitored to manage populations and protect reproductive capacity.

In computing and video games, spawning refers to creating new instances of an object or actor. A spawn function or system call creates a new process or thread, while in games entities such as enemies or items appear at designated spawn points, sometimes with rules governing timing and location.