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Is Parthenogenesis Sexual or Asexual Reproduction?

Abstract

CYTOLOGISTS and others commonly refer to parthenogenesis as asexual reproduction. This usage is, for example, to be found in the books of Wilson1, Darlington2, and White3, along with the facts that indicate that parthenogenesis is a derivative of normal sexual reproduction. To an elementary student of these phenomena, parthenogenesis appears to have much more in common with other types of sexual reproduction, and to refer it to asexual reproduction puts it in the same general category as budding and fission, to which parthenogenesis has little or no significant resemblance. The fact that parthenogenetic eggs develop without fertilization is no doubt responsible for this usage, a fact which, however, need not carry the entire weight of the decision as between sexual and asexual reproduction. True enough the biological significance of sexual reproduction is in part dependent upon fertilization ; but most of this significance also relates to cross-fertilization, which is by no means co-extensive with sexual reproduction.

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References

  1. Wilson, E. B., “The Cell in Development and Heredity”. 3rd edit. (Macmillan, New York, 1925).

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  2. Darlington, C. D., “The Evolution of Genetic Systems” (Cambridge University Press, 1939).

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  3. White, M. J. D., “Animal Cytology and Evolution” (Cambridge University Press, 1945).

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BOYDEN, A. Is Parthenogenesis Sexual or Asexual Reproduction?. Nature 166, 820 (1950). https://doi.org/10.1038/166820a0

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