klepton
English edit
Alternative forms edit
Etymology edit
Ancient Greek κλέπτ(ης) (klépt(ēs), “thief”) + -on, after taxon
Pronunciation edit
- (Received Pronunciation) IPA(key): /ˈklɛptɒn/
- Rhymes: (Received Pronunciation) -ɛptɒn
Noun edit
klepton (plural kleptons or klepta)
- (biology) A species that requires input from another biological taxon (normally from a species which is closely related to the kleptonic species) to complete its reproductive cycle.
- 2018, Tim Flannery, Europe: A Natural History, page 157:
- Most kleptons are female, and some don’t use the genes of the male at all, merely deploying his sperm to stimulate the egg into development without fertilising it.
Derived terms edit
Translations edit
species that needs input from another taxon to reproduce