Arrenotoky

/ˌærənɒˈtɒki/ noun

Definition

A reproductive system in which males develop from unfertilized eggs and females from fertilized eggs, found in many insects and arachnids.

Etymology

From Greek 'arrhen' (male) and 'tokos' (birth), with '-y' forming a noun. This biological term describes a specific genetic mechanism discovered through 20th-century entomology research.

Kelly Says

Arrenotoky is nature's version of gender-biased parenting—some wasp mothers have been observed adjusting the sex ratio of their offspring depending on available resources, essentially practicing reproductive economics!

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