''Mesorhabditis'' is a genus of

nematode The nematodes ( or grc-gre, Νηματώδη; la, Nematoda) or roundworms constitute the phylum Nematoda (also called Nemathelminthes), with plant-Parasitism, parasitic nematodes also known as eelworms. They are a diverse animal phylum inhab ...

s. Species in the genus ''Mesorhabditis'' exhibit an unusual form of

parthenogenesis Parthenogenesis (; from the Greek grc, παρθένος, translit=parthénos, lit=virgin, label=none + grc, γένεσις, translit=génesis, lit=creation, label=none) is a natural form of asexual reproduction in which growth and development ...

, in which sperm-producing males copulate with females, but the sperm do not fuse with the ovum. Contact with the sperm is essential for the ovum to begin dividing, but because there is no fusion of the cells, the male contributes no genetic material to the offspring, which are essentially clones of the female.

References

* Problems in New Zealand mushroom production associated with bacterial feeding nematodes (Mesorhabditis sp.). FR Sanderson, JW Marshall, GE Ovenden, HM Stengs - … , 1981/edited by NG Nair, AD …, 1981 * Systematik, Phylogenie und Okologie der holzbewohnenden Nematoden Gruppe Rhabditis (Mesorhabditis) und das Problem" geschlechtsbezogener" … W Sudhaus, 1978

External links

Rhabditidae Rhabditida genera {{Chromadorea-stub