thelytokous

Thelytoky is a form of parthenogenesis, a type of asexual reproduction in which a new individual develops from an unfertilized egg. In thelytoky, only females are produced from unfertilized eggs. This is in contrast to arrhenotoky, another form of parthenogenesis, where only males are produced from unfertilized eggs, and deuterotoky, where both males and females can be produced.

Thelytoky is observed in a variety of species across different taxa, including insects, mites, and some crustaceans. In some species, thelytoky may be facultative, meaning that it occurs only under certain environmental conditions, such as the absence of males. In other species, thelytoky is obligate, meaning that it is the only mode of reproduction.

The genetic mechanisms underlying thelytoky can vary. In some cases, it involves automixis, where the egg nucleus fuses with a polar body. In other cases, it involves apomixis, where the egg develops without any form of nuclear fusion. These different mechanisms can lead to varying degrees of genetic relatedness between the mother and her offspring. While thelytoky allows for rapid population growth, it can also lead to reduced genetic diversity, which may pose challenges for adaptation to changing environments.