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Home > Science > What is the Difference Between Panmictic and Apomictic Species?

Guilherme Mazui

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What is the Difference Between Panmictic and Apomictic Species?

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The main difference between panmictic and apomictic species lies in their reproductive strategies and genetic diversity.

Panmictic species:

  • Engage in random mating, also known as panmixis.
  • All individuals within the species are potential mating partners, with no mating restrictions.
  • This random mating helps maintain genetic diversity within the population.

Apomictic species:

  • Reproduce asexually through a process called apomixis, which produces seeds without fertilization.
  • Apomictic plants are genetically identical from one generation to the next, maintaining distinctions from other apomictic lineages within the same genus.
  • Due to the asexual reproduction, there is limited genetic diversity within the species.

In summary, panmictic species show random mating and maintain genetic diversity within their populations, while apomictic species reproduce asexually and have limited genetic diversity.

On this page
  • What is the Difference Between Panmictic and Apomictic Species?
  • Comparative Table: Panmictic vs Apomictic Species

    • Comparative Table: Panmictic vs Apomictic Species

    Here is a table highlighting the differences between panmictic and apomictic species:

    Feature Panmictic Species Apomictic Species
    Mating Random mating Asexual reproduction
    Genetic Diversity High genetic diversity due to random mating Low genetic diversity because offspring have identical genotypes to the parent
    Offspring Offspring have a mix of genes from both parents Offspring have the exact genotype of the parent
    Evolution Evolution driven by natural selection and random mating Evolution driven by natural selection and asexual reproduction, with limited genetic variation
    Population Structure Populations with no mating restrictions, allowing for gene flow and genetic diversity Populations with limited gene flow and genetic diversity due to asexual reproduction

    Panmictic species are characterized by random mating, leading to high genetic diversity within the population. In contrast, apomictic species reproduce asexually, resulting in offspring with the exact genotype of the parent and lower genetic diversity.

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    Guilherme Mazui

    Guilherme Mazui is graduated in journalism from the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG) and a master's degree in Communication from the University of São Paulo (USP). In addition, he has experience in advertising writing and has worked as a content editor in several companies.