Question

Thelytoky, a type of parthenogenesis, occurs in

A. Aphids

B. Typhlina

C. Honey Bee

D. Wasp

Answer 1

Parthenogenesis is also called as asexual reproduction, usually observed in lower organisms and plants.

Complete Answer:

- The thelytoky is a type of parthenogenesis classified on the basis of sex in which females are produced from unfertilized eggs. Therefore, it is a process of asexual reproduction.

- Thelytoky can be seen in the invertebrates (e.g. arthropods) but less common in vertebrates. Salamanders, fish, and reptiles (i.e. some whiptail lizards) are the vertebrates that are capable of thelytoky. The daughter cells produced are diploid in nature.

- Thelytoky mainly occurs in aphids. These are insects with soft bodies that feed on plants using their piercing sucking mouth.

- The mouth of aphids contains saliva which is injected into plants causing leaves to pucker or become severely distorted, even if few aphids are present, it also feeds on flower buds and fruit resulting in malformed flowers or fruit. Some of the aphids also act as vectors of plant viruses.

Therefore, the correct answer is option (A), Aphids.

Additional information:

On basis of sex of the offspring, Parthenogenesis can be classified as:

(1) Arrhenotokous parthenogenesis (or arrhenotoky), in which unfertilized eggs are developed into males.

(2) Thelytokous parthenogenesis (or thelytoky), females are developed from unfertilized eggs.

(3) Deuterotokous parthenogenesis (deuterotoky) in which the males and females are developed from unfertilized eggs.

- Thelytoky on the basis of cytology can be of two types of thelytoky; Automictic and apomictic.

- The automictic (ameiotic) parthenogenesis is a form of thelytoky which is characterized by meiotic division in contrast to apomictic parthenogenesis that does not involve meiosis.

Note: Honeydew, a sugary liquid waste is produced in large amounts in aphids. Honeydew may serve to strengthen the bones and avoid the occurrence of some diseases, such as osteoporosis. This is because honeydew includes several important elements for bone health, such as folate and Vitamin K.