Viviparity (Live-bearing)
In contrast, viviparity is a reproductive pattern in which females give birth to offspring that are able to live freely. They do so by retaining developing eggs inside their body. Despite interspecific variations in placental complexity, they possess the capability to maintain eggs in the uterus for the entire process of embryo development, resulting in the production of fully developed offspring at birth. During gestation, the mother gives nutrition to the embryo by the phenomenon known as “matrotrophy.“
Viviparous and Oviparous Embryo Development
Oviparous and Viviparous are two categories of animals divided based on embryo development. Oviparous animals reproduce by laying eggs that mature and hatch in the external environment and Viviparous animals hold fertilized eggs inside their bodies and give birth to their young. These reproductive modes are known respectively as “oviparity” (egg-laying reproduction) and “viviparity” (live-bearing reproduction). The development of an embryo may take place internally in viviparous animals or externally in oviparous animals but the stages of development remain the same.
Table of Content
- Modes of Reproduction
- Oviparity (Egg-laying)
- Examples of Oviparous Animals
- Viviparity (Live-bearing)
- Examples of Viviparous Animals
- Embryonic Nutritional Patterns
- Comparison between Oviparous and Viviparous animals
- Stages of Embryo Development
- Metamorphosis in Oviparous Animals