Possibility of Undeveloped Egg Absorption during Embryogenesis: A Unique Phenomenon Observed in the Ovoviviparous Mayfly Cloeon dipterum

Oviparous, ovoviviparous and viviparous reproduction are interesting subjects for understanding animals' evolutionary pathways and adaptation to their life history and habitat conditions. In this study, we examined the reproductive mode of the ovoviviparous mayfly , particularly comparing embry...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inZoological science Vol. 38; no. 1; p. 20
Main Authors Yano, Koki, Tojo, Koji
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Japan 01.02.2021
Subjects
Animals
Body Size
Embryo, Nonmammalian
Embryonic Development
Ephemeroptera - embryology
Ephemeroptera - physiology
Female
Male
Oviducts - physiology
Ovoviviparity
Ovum
ovoviviparity
hand pairing
parity modes
parthenogenesis
fecundity
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Summary:Oviparous, ovoviviparous and viviparous reproduction are interesting subjects for understanding animals' evolutionary pathways and adaptation to their life history and habitat conditions. In this study, we examined the reproductive mode of the ovoviviparous mayfly , particularly comparing embryogenesis between hand-pairing and unmated females' common oviduct. Our study suggested that the high developmental rate of observed in a recent study could be ascribed to their absorption of unfertilized eggs. The developmental rates of hand-paired females were almost 100%, while their egg-bearing numbers were lower than those of virgin females. Thus, such reduced egg numbers suggest the maternal absorption of unfertilized eggs. This trait is thought to have evolved with the ovoviviparous characteristics of . We identified the basis of the irregularity of this species exhibiting such a high (i.e., 100%) developmental rate in our previous recent study.
ISSN:0289-0003
DOI:10.2108/zs200098