heterogony

[ het-uh-rog-uh-nee ]

noun

, Biology.

1. the alternation of dioecious and hermaphroditic individuals in successive generations, as in certain nematodes.
2. the alternation of parthenogenetic and sexual generations.

heterogony

/ ˌhɛtəˈrɒɡənɪ /

noun

1. biology the alternation of parthenogenetic and sexual generations in rotifers and similar animals
2. the condition in plants, such as the primrose, of having flowers that differ from each other in the length of their stamens and styles Compare homogony

Derived Forms

• ˌheterˈogonous, adjective
• ˌheterˈogonously, adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of heterogony¹

First recorded in 1865–70; hetero- + -gony