Viviparous
Viviparous (/vɪˈvɪpərəs/; from Latin vivus meaning "alive" and parere meaning "to bring forth") is a term used in biology and zoology to describe organisms that give birth to live offspring that have developed inside the body of the parent, as opposed to laying eggs. This is the characteristic of most mammals, some reptiles, and a few fishes and insects.
Etymology
The term "viviparous" is derived from the Latin words vivus meaning "alive" and parere meaning "to bring forth". It was first used in English in the early 17th century to describe the mode of reproduction in certain animals.
Pronunciation
The word "viviparous" is pronounced as /vɪˈvɪpərəs/.
Related Terms
- Oviparous: Refers to organisms that lay eggs, with little or no other embryonic development within the mother. This is the reproductive method of most birds, reptiles, amphibians, and fishes.
- Ovoviviparous: Refers to organisms that produce eggs, but the eggs hatch inside the body of the parent before they are released. This is common in some fishes and reptiles.
- Placental: Refers to organisms that nourish their unborn offspring through a placenta, a specialized embryonic organ that connects the unborn animal to the uterus of the mother. This is the reproductive method of most mammals.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Viviparous
- Wikipedia's article - Viviparous
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