Editing Invertebrate (section)

=== Reproduction ===

Like vertebrates, most invertebrates reproduce at least partly through [[sexual reproduction]]. They produce specialized [[Gametogonium|reproductive cells]] that undergo [[meiosis]] to produce smaller, motile [[spermatozoon|spermatozoa]] or larger, non-motile [[ovum|ova]].<ref>{{cite book|last=Schwartz|first=Jill|title=Master the GED 2011 (w/CD)|year=2010|publisher=Peterson's|isbn=978-0-7689-2885-3|page=[https://archive.org/details/petersonsmasterg0000stew_x3f1/page/371 371]|url=https://archive.org/details/petersonsmasterg0000stew_x3f1/page/371}}</ref> These fuse to form [[zygote]]s, which develop into new individuals.<ref>{{cite book|last=Hamilton|first=Matthew B.|title=Population genetics|url=https://archive.org/details/populationgeneti00hami|url-access=limited|year=2009|publisher=Wiley-Blackwell|isbn=978-1-4051-3277-0|page=[https://archive.org/details/populationgeneti00hami/page/n69 55]}}</ref> Others are capable of asexual reproduction, or sometimes, both methods of reproduction.

Extensive research with model invertebrate species such as ''[[Drosophila melanogaster]]'' and ''[[Caenorhabditis elegans]]'' has contributed much to our understanding of [[meiosis]] and reproduction. However, beyond the few model systems, the modes of reproduction found in invertebrates show incredible diversity.<ref name="Picard2021">{{cite journal |vauthors=Picard MA, Vicoso B, Bertrand S, Escriva H |title=Diversity of Modes of Reproduction and Sex Determination Systems in Invertebrates, and the Putative Contribution of Genetic Conflict |journal=Genes (Basel) |volume=12 |issue=8 |pages=1136 |date=July 2021 |pmid=34440310 |pmc=8391622 |doi=10.3390/genes12081136 |doi-access=free}}</ref>  In one extreme example, it is estimated that 10% of [[Oribatida|orbatid mite]] species have persisted without sexual reproduction and have reproduced asexually for more than 400 million years.<ref name = Picard2021/>

==== Reproductive systems ====
{{excerpt|Reproductive system|Invertebrates}}