Uniparous is a term that is often used in the field of reproductive biology. It refers to organisms that only give birth to a single offspring at a time. The word is spelled with four syllables: /junɪpɛrəs/. The first syllable is pronounced the same as the word "you". The second syllable is pronounced like "nip" with a short "i" sound. The third syllable is pronounced like "pair", and the final syllable is pronounced with a short "u" sound followed by "rus". The spelling of this word is based on its Latin origins.
Uniparous is an adjective derived from the Latin words "uni" meaning "one" and "parere" meaning "to give birth." It is primarily used in biology and reproductive sciences to describe organisms that produce only a single offspring during each reproductive cycle or throughout their lifetime.
In the context of plants, uniparous refers to species that produce one seed or fruit per floral structure, such as one fruit per flower or one seed per ovary. This characteristic is common in certain plant families, including Orchidaceae and Asparagaceae. In the animal kingdom, uniparous organisms typically have a reproductive strategy that involves giving birth to a single offspring at a time. This can be observed in various mammals, such as primates, elephants, and whales.
The term uniparous is often contrasted with multiparous, which indicates organisms that produce multiple offspring in a single reproductive cycle or throughout their reproductive life. Unlike multiparous species, uniparous organisms tend to have longer gestation periods and invest more energy and resources into the growth and development of a single offspring. This reproductive strategy allows for greater parental care and can result in increased survival rates and overall reproductive success.
Overall, uniparous describes the reproductive behavior of organisms that give birth to a single offspring at a time, emphasizing their unique reproductive cycle characterized by the production of one seed, fruit, or progeny.
Producing only one at a birth.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
The word uniparous is derived from the Latin word uniparus, which is a combination of the prefix uni- meaning one or single, and the word parus meaning giving birth or bearing offspring. The suffix -ous is added to the word to form an adjective, indicating having the quality of or characterized by. Therefore, uniparous literally means having the characteristic of giving birth to a single offspring.