thelytoky

[ thi-lit-uh-kee ]

noun

1. parthenogenesis in which only females are produced.

Word History and Origins

Origin of thelytoky¹

1890–95; < Greek thēlytokía, equivalent to thêly ( s ) female + tók ( os ) parturition, offspring + -ia -y ³

Example Sentences

During a process called thelytoky, two of the Cape bee’s daughter cells fuse together to make a single cell with both sets of chromosomes — just like Thelma the snake, a reticulated python known for her virgin births.

From New York Times