Difference Between Oviparity Ovoviviparity and Viviparity

The key difference between oviparity ovoviviparity and viviparity is that oviparity is the trait of laying eggs, while ovoviviparity is the development of embryos inside eggs that are retained within the mother’s body until they are ready to hatch, and viviparity is giving birth to young ones directly.

There are different modes of reproduction among animals in the Kingdom Animalia. Some animals lay eggs. In contrast, some animals give birth to young ones directly. Oviparity, ovoviviparity and viviparity are several modes of reproduction. Oviparity is a mode of reproduction in which animals lay eggs. Ovoviviparity is a mode in which animals lay eggs and keep them inside the mother’s body until hatching. Viviparity is the mode of reproduction in which animals directly give birth to young ones.

CONTENTS

1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Oviparity 
3. What is Ovoviviparity 
4. What is Viviparity
5. Similarities Between Oviparity Ovoviviparity and Viviparity
6. Side by Side Comparison – Oviparity vs Ovoviviparity vs Viviparity in Tabular Form
7. Summary

What is Oviparity?

Oviparity refers to a mode of reproduction in which animals lay eggs. These eggs are released to the external environment. Thus, the embryos develop outside the mother’s body. Here, the egg yolk nourishes the developing embryo. Since the eggs are released to the environment, they possess a hard shell to protect from damages. Oviparous animals show internal fertilization. But their embryo development takes place externally.

What is Ovoviviparity?

Ovoviviparity refers to the laying of eggs and keeping them inside the mother animal’s body until they are hatched. In other words, ovoviviparity is a mode of reproduction in which embryos develop inside eggs that are retained within the mother’s body until they are ready to hatch.

Ovoviviparous animals show internal fertilization. Moreover, they give birth to young ones. However, their embryos do not have a placental connection. Therefore, this mode of reproduction is also known as aplacental viviparity. In ovoviviparity, the developing embryo is nourished by the egg yolk.

What is Viviparity?

Viviparity refers to the mode of reproduction in which animals directly give birth to young ones. Therefore, viviparous animals give birth to young ones without laying eggs. The fertilization takes place internally inside the female organism. Moreover, the embryo has a placental connection and gets the nourishment from the mother. The fetus development occurs inside the womb of the mother, and once it completes the development, the mother delivers the offspring.

Mammals including humans, dogs, cats and elephants, etc. are viviparous. Moreover, some fish, reptiles and amphibians are viviparous.

What are the Similarities Between Oviparity Ovoviviparity and Viviparity?

• Oviparity, ovoviviparity, and viviparity are three modes of reproduction seen in animals.
• Fertilization is an important event occurring in all three modes.
• In all three processes, the zygote develops into an embryo.

What is the Difference Between Oviparity Ovoviviparity and Viviparity?

Oviparity is the mode of reproduction in which animals lay eggs, and the embryos develop externally. Ovoviviparity is another mode of reproduction in which animals lay eggs and develop the eggs inside the mother’s body. Viviparity, on the other hand, refers to giving birth to young ones directly. So, this is the key difference between oviparity ovoviviparity and viviparity.

Furthermore, oviparous animals show both external and internal fertilization, while ovoviviparous and viviparous animals show internal fertilization. Moreover, the embryo develops externally in oviparity, while embryo develops internally in ovoviviparity and viviparity. Therefore, this is another difference between oviparity ovoviviparity and viviparity.

Summary – Oviparity Ovoviviparity vs Viviparity

Oviparous animals lay eggs covered with hard shells to produce young ones. Ovoviviparous animals produce eggs and keep them inside the mother’s body until the fetus develops completely and is ready to hatch. On the other hand, viviparous animals directly give birth to young ones. So, this is the key difference between oviparity ovoviviparity and viviparity. In oviparity, the embryo develops externally while in ovoviviparity and viviparity, the embryo develops internally. Moreover, Oviparous animals show both internal and external fertilization, while ovoviviparous and viviparous animals show internal fertilization.

Reference:

1. “Ovoviviparity.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 5 Nov. 2019, Available here.
2. “An Overview On Oviparous, Ovoviviparous & Viviparous Animals.” BYJUS, Byju’s, 23 Oct. 2019, Available here.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Barn swallow (Hirundo rustica) nest eggs, total clutch” By Kati Fleming – Own work (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Tiger shark” By Albert kok – Own work (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia
3. “Human Embryo – Approximately 8 weeks estimated gestational age” By lunar caustic – Embryo (CC BY 2.0) via Commons Wikimedia