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Fecundity, derived from the word fecund, generally refers to the ability to reproduce. In biology, fecundity is the actual reproductive rate of an organism or population, measured by the number of gametes (eggs), seed set or asexual propagules. In demography^[1][2], fecundity is the potential reproductive capacity of an individual or the population. Fecundity is under both genetic and environmental control, and is the major measure of fitness. Fecundation is another term for fertilization. Super fecundity refers to an organism's ability to store another organism's sperm (after copulation) and fertilize its own eggs from that store after a period of time, essentially making it appear as though fertilization occurred without sperm (i.e. parthenogenesis).^{[citation needed]}

Fecundity is important and well studied in the field of population ecology. Fecundity can increase or decrease in a population according to current conditions and certain regulating factors. For instance, in times of hardship for a population such as a lack of food, juvenile and eventually adult fecundity has been shown to decrease.

Fecundity has also been shown to increase in ungulates with relation to warmer weather.

In the philosophy of science, fecundity refers to the ability of a scientific theory to open new lines of theoretical inquiry.

In sexual evolutionary biology, especially in sexual selection, fecundity is contrasted to reproductivity.

See also

• Birth rate
• Fecundism
• Fertility
• Population ecology
• Biological life cycle

External links

1. ^ Etienne van de Valle (adapted by), from the French section edited by Louis Henry (1982). "Fecundity". Multilingual demographic dictionary, English section, second edition. Demopaedia.org, International Union for the Scientific Study of Population. p. 621-1. http://en-ii.demopaedia.org/wiki/Fecundity. Retrieved 8 February 2010. 
2. ^ Eugene Grebenik (1958). "Fecundity". Multilingual demographic dictionary, English section Prepared by the Demographic Dictionary Committee of the International Union for the Scientific Study of Population. Demopaedia.org, United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA). p. 621-1. http://en-i.demopaedia.org/wiki/Fecundity. Retrieved 8 February 2010.