What is the Difference Between Allogamy and Xenogamy?
🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚The main difference between allogamy and xenogamy lies in the source of the pollen grains used for fertilization in plants. Both terms are related to plant reproduction, specifically pollination:
- Allogamy: This refers to the transfer of pollen grains from the anther of one flower to the stigma of another flower, either on the same plant or on a different plant of the same species. Allogamy includes a type of self-pollination called geitonogamy. In allogamy, the fertilization of an ovum is done with the sperm of another individual (another flower of the same species).
- Xenogamy: This is a cross-pollination process where pollen grains from the anther of one flower are deposited on the stigma of another flower on a different plant of the same species. Xenogamy always occurs between two genetically unrelated individuals of the same species. This process is evolutionarily important, as it helps produce more fitness organisms, reduces homozygosity in breeding populations, and allows the reintroduction or introduction of new alleles into a population.
In summary, the key difference between allogamy and xenogamy is that allogamy involves the fertilization of an ovum with the sperm of another individual within the same species, while xenogamy occurs between two genetically unrelated individuals of the same species.
Comparative Table: Allogamy vs Xenogamy
The main difference between allogamy and xenogamy is that allogamy involves the fertilization of an ovum with the sperm of another individual, which can be from another flower of the same plant or another plant, while xenogamy occurs between two genetically different parents, increasing the genetic variability in offsprings. Here is a table comparing the two concepts:
| Feature | Allogamy | Xenogamy |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | Fertilization of an ovum with the sperm of another individual | Union of gametes between two genetically different parents |
| Pollination | Involves transfer of pollen grains from the anther of one flower to the stigma of the flower of the same plant or another plant | Involves cross-pollination between different plants or even species |
| Genetic Variability | Low to moderate genetic variability, as it can occur between two flowers of the same plant or two individual plants or strains | High genetic variability, as it occurs between two genetically different parents, enhancing the overall fitness of a species |
| Importance | Useful in masking deleterious effects of recessive alleles in the progeny | Evolutionarily important, as it reduces homozygosity in breeding populations and allows the reintroduction or introduction of new alleles into a population |
- Geitonogamy vs Xenogamy
- Allogamy vs Autogamy
- Endogamy vs Homogamy
- Autogamy vs Geitonogamy
- Dichogamy vs Herkogamy
- Plasmogamy vs Karyogamy
- Anisogamy Isogamy vs Oogamy
- Monogamy vs Polygamy
- Polygyny vs Polyandry
- Zooidogamy vs Siphonogamy
- Autogamy vs Conjugation
- Polyamory vs Polygamy
- Bigamy vs Polygamy
- Allopatric vs Sympatric Speciation
- Monogamous vs Non Monogamous
- Apospory vs Apogamy
- Chasmogamous vs Cleistogamous
- Inbreeding vs Outbreeding
- Allopatric vs Peripatric Speciation