Sperm–Egg Interactions

CRC Press eBooks 2026 Book chapter

View at publisher
Authors: Gary M. Wessel, Julian L. Wong, Carmen J. Williams, Mark A. Johnson, Harvey M. Florman
DOI: 10.1201/9781003148401-8
Cited by: 0

Abstract

Fertilization is an irreversible event, so most of the steps preceding it enhance the union of gametes from the same species. Sessile organisms somehow manage to mate with individuals of the same species, even though they disperse their gametes into the wild, and courtship behaviors by mobile eukaryotes improve the likelihood that sperm will be delivered to a conspecific egg... but the existence of hybrids demonstrates that mating behaviors are not foolproof. The evolution of molecular species-recognition steps that take place before syngamy , the fusion of two complementary gametes, enables gametes of the same species to find each other.

Fields of Study & Subjects

Reproductive biology and impacts on aquatic species Animal Behavior and Reproduction Reproductive Biology and Fertility

Publication details

Journal / source
CRC Press eBooks
Pages
113–130
Publication date
11 February 2026
Language
EN
Document type
Book chapter