Dissogony

The following article is from The Great Soviet Encyclopedia (1979). It might be outdated or ideologically biased.

Dissogony

 

the capacity for sexual reproduction first in the larval stage and then in the adult form, which is characteristic of some Ctenophora. For example, the larvae of Bolina hydatina form sexual products that are capable of fertilization (eggs and spermatozoa). Later, their sexual glands disappear. Some varieties of adult Ctenophora, in which gonads develop secondarily, are also able to produce progeny.

The Great Soviet Encyclopedia, 3rd Edition (1970-1979). © 2010 The Gale Group, Inc. All rights reserved.