Question

In which reproductive strategy do fishes lay eggs that hatch outside the mother's body?

• A. Viviparity
• B. Oviparity
• C. Ovoviviparity
• D. Hermaphroditism

Hint:

Remember the prefixes:
- Ovi- refers to eggs (e.g., egg-laying)
- Vivi- refers to live birth (e.g., live-bearing with maternal nourishment)

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Fish display diverse reproductive strategies that dictate how the eggs develop and where the offspring hatch relative to the maternal body.

Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
- Oviparity (B): The female releases eggs into the external environment, where embryonic development and hatching take place outside the mother's body.
- Viviparity (A): Young develop inside the maternal body, receiving nourishment via a placental-like connection, and are born alive.
- Ovoviviparity (C): Eggs are retained inside the mother's body until they hatch, but the embryos receive nourishment solely from the egg yolk, not from the maternal tissue.
- Hermaphroditism (D): Refers to the presence of both male and female reproductive organs in an individual.

Step 3: Final Answer:
The strategy where fish lay eggs that hatch outside the mother's body is oviparity.