superfemale

[¦sü·pər′fē‚māl]

(genetics)

In Drosophila, a female with three X chromosomes and two sets of autosomes resulting in sterility and generally early death. In humans, XXX females are fertile.

References in periodicals archive

On day 4 after the birth, Hardy observed superfemale 21 near the birth site as five of her newborns crawled around.

The social lives of snakes: from loner to attentive parent

In this experiment we investigated whether supermale and superfemale faces, with exaggerated sex-typical traits, are preferred to average male and female faces, respectively.

Sex-typicality and attractiveness: Are supermale and superfemale faces super-attractive?

This creates the hypothesis that the system of sex determination in sturgeons is genetic and not environmental, which is backed up by gynogenesis experiments suggesting sex ratios in conformity with the ZW system where gynogenesis may produce ZZ males, WW superfemales, and ZW females.

Expression Characterization of Six Genes Possibly Involved in Gonad Development for Stellate Sturgeon Individuals (Acipenser stellatus, Pallas 1771)

The project ended when the researchers realized that their superfemales produced only sons.

No-dad dragons: Komodos reproduce without males

Inducing these turtles to become "superfemales" could prove harmful, she worries, if they divert unhealthy amounts of energy into egg production.

Hormones: here's the beef: environmental concerns reemerge over steroids given to livestock

All content on this website, including dictionary, thesaurus, literature, geography, and other reference data is for informational purposes only. This information should not be considered complete, up to date, and is not intended to be used in place of a visit, consultation, or advice of a legal, medical, or any other professional.