NON-MAMMALIAN

REPRODUCTIVE STRATEGIES

SEXUAL REPRODUCTION

VERSUS

ASEXUAL REPRODUCTION

SEXUAL REPRODUCTION
The creation of offspring by the fusion of haploid gametes to form a zygote
The diploid product of the union of haploid gametes in conception

SEXUAL REPRODUCTION
Gametes are formed through meiosis. There are two kinds: ovum and spermatozoon
The female gamete and a haploid, unfertilized egg; usually large and non-motile The male gamete; generally small and motile

ADVANTAGES OF SEXUAL REPRODUCTION

It creates genetic variety One scientist, Alexey Kondrashov , suggests that sexual reproduction purges the species of mutations.

ADVANTAGES OF SEXUAL REPRODUCTION

The Red Queen Hypothesis: Sex is needed to fight disease Sexual species retain unfavored genes for future use

DISADVANTAGES OF SEXUAL REPRODUCTION

Energy expensive Genetic recombination is counter-productive if conditions are stable

DISADVANTAGES OF SEXUAL REPRODUCTION

Only half of the individuals made can produce offspring (males are the energy issue) Less efficient on passing on genes Risk of losing a favorable combination of genes

ASEXUAL REPRODUCTION
Generation of new individuals without the fusion of egg and sperm Relies entirely on mitotic cell division Some species are purely female

ADVANTAGES OF ASEXUAL REPRODUCTION

Higher frequency of production every generation Good in maintaining successful genotypes in favorable conditions and environments

DISADVANTAGES OF ASEXUAL REPRODUCTION

Slower adaptation rate Slower mutation rate More susceptible to widespread death due to disease

MECHANISMS
OF ASEXUAL REPRODUCTION

Certain animals like sea anemone have the ability to separate themselves into organisms of approximately the same size

Fission

Animals like pillar corals on the left reproduce from the outgrowths of existing ones wherein they remain attached and form a colony more than one meter long.

Budding

Specialized Cells
Some invertebrates, including certain sponges, release specialized group of cells that can grow into new individuals

Fragmentation and Regeneration

Animals like earthworms and planarians have the ability to reproduce from parts of the body which were previously separated from the body

The ability of invertebrates and a few vertebrates in which an egg develops even without fertilization. In invertebrates, this is observed in bees, wasps, and ants. In vertebrates, this is really rare, but was observed in the Komodo dragon and in a species of hammerhead sharks

Parthenogenesis

CHOICE OF

REPRODUCTIVE STRATEGY

HORMONAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL CUES

Some animals show definite cycles in reproductive activity
Ewes ovulate at the midpoint of their 15-day cycle which occur during fall and early winter

This shows that reproduction is controlled by both hormonal and environmental cues

SWITCHING
Daphnia, switch from sexual to asexual reproduction
Asexual reproduction occurs at favorable conditions Sexual reproduction occurs at times of environmental stress

Parthenogenesis is the reason for this

HERMAPHRODITISM
Sessile or burrowing animals are usually hermaphroditic since the chances of encountering a fellow organism of a different sex if they were not hermaphroditic is low

SEQUENTIAL HERMAPHRODITISM
Another type of hermaphroditism is sequential hermaphroditism
The sex reverses during its lifetime Protogynous (female first) or protandrous (male first)