OLIGOTOKOUS Meaning and
Definition
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Oligotokous is an adjective that originates from the Greek words "oligos" meaning "few" and "tokia" meaning "birth." It is used to describe a reproductive strategy in certain species, particularly in plants and animals, where individuals produce a relatively small number of offspring during their lifetime.
In the botanical context, oligotokous species tend to have lower seed or fruit production compared to other plants. This may be a result of various factors such as limited resources, environmental conditions, or specific pollination requirements. These plants have adapted to allocate their energy towards quality rather than quantity, investing more resources into the development and survival of each individual offspring. As a consequence, they often have higher seed or fruit viability and better chances of successful germination or establishment.
Similarly, in the zoological realm, oligotokous species engage in reproductive strategies characterized by low fecundity. These organisms produce a modest number of offspring, usually one or a few, during each reproductive cycle. Examples of oligotokous animals can be found among various fish, insects, reptiles, and mammals. This reproductive pattern often allows the parents to dedicate more care and resources to each offspring, increasing their chances of survival and reproductive success.
The oligotokous reproductive strategy, with its focus on producing a few high-quality offspring, stands in contrast to the strategy of r-selection, which involves the production of numerous, less-investment offspring. Oligotoky, therefore, plays a significant role in shaping the life history and reproductive biology of specific species in their respective ecosystems.
Common Misspellings for OLIGOTOKOUS
- iligotokous
- kligotokous
- lligotokous
- pligotokous
- 0ligotokous
- 9ligotokous
- okigotokous
- opigotokous
- ooigotokous
- olugotokous
- oljgotokous
- olkgotokous
- ologotokous
- ol9gotokous
- ol8gotokous
- olifotokous
- olivotokous
- olibotokous
- olihotokous
- oliyotokous
Etymology of OLIGOTOKOUS
The word "oligotokous" is derived from the combination of two Greek words: "oligos" and "tokos".
The term "oligos" (ὀλίγος) means 'few' or 'little', indicating a small quantity or number.
The word "tokos" (τόκος) refers to 'offspring' or 'birth'.
Therefore, "oligotokous" is formed by combining "oligos" and "tokos" to describe organisms that have a low or infrequent number of offspring or births.
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