Vivipary

Vivipary is a term used in biology to describe the process of giving birth to live offspring that have developed inside the body of the parent, as opposed to laying eggs. This is a characteristic of all mammals (with the exception of monotremes) and some other species. Vivipary can be further classified into two types: placental vivipary and aplacental vivipary.

Types of Vivipary

Placental Vivipary

In placental vivipary, the embryo is connected to the mother's blood supply via a placenta. This allows the mother to provide the embryo with nutrients and oxygen, and to remove waste products. This is the most common form of vivipary and is found in most mammals, including humans.

Aplacental Vivipary

In aplacental vivipary, the embryo is not connected to the mother's blood supply via a placenta. Instead, the embryo obtains nutrients directly from the mother's body, often through a structure called a yolk sac. This form of vivipary is less common and is found in some species of sharks and rays.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Vivipary

Vivipary has several advantages over egg-laying. For example, it allows the parent to protect the developing offspring from predators and environmental conditions. It also allows the parent to provide the offspring with nutrients and oxygen, which can result in faster growth and development.

However, vivipary also has some disadvantages. For example, it requires a lot of energy from the parent, which can limit the number of offspring that can be produced. It also increases the risk of complications during birth, which can be fatal for both the mother and the offspring.

See Also

• Ovipary
• Ovovivipary
• Reproduction
• Mammals

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