Polyembryony
- Pronunciation
- /pol-ee-EM-bree-oh-nee/
- Category
- Reproduction
- Singular
- Polyembryony
- Plural
- Polyembryonies
Definition
The simultaneous development of multiple embryos from a single fertilized egg.
Etymology
From Greek 'poly-', meaning 'many', and 'embryon', meaning 'embryo'.
Example
Polyembryony is observed in some Hymenoptera species, such as wasps, where multiple embryos develop within a single egg.
Related Terms
- Parasitic wasp
- Multiple offspring