ovoviviparous

[oh-voh-vahy-vip-er-uhs]

adjective

Zoology.

1. producing eggs that are hatched within the body, so that the young are born alive but without placental attachment, as certain reptiles or fishes.

ovoviviparous

/ ˌəʊvəʊvaɪˈvɪpərəs, ˌəʊvəʊˌvaɪvɪˈpærɪtɪ /

adjective

1. (of certain reptiles, fishes, etc) producing eggs that hatch within the body of the mother Compare oviparous viviparous

ovoviviparous

1. Producing eggs that hatch within the female's body. Some fish and reptiles are ovoviviparous.

2. Compare oviparous viviparous

Other Word Forms

• ovoviviparism noun
• ovoviviparity noun
• ovoviviparousness noun
• ovoviviparously adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of ovoviviparous¹

First recorded in 1795–1805; ov(i)- + -o- + viviparous

Example Sentences

Baby sharks are hardcore: Several species of shark are ovoviviparous — the mother retains her eggs inside her body, and her pups hatch and develop in her uterus.

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Descending a little lower, we come to the oviparous and ovoviviparous tribes.

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Some of the dinosaurs may have been ovoviviparous, like some modern serpents.

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Coenogonous: oviparous at one season of the year, ovoviviparous at another, as in Aphididae.

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