Dictionary of ichthyology

FACULTATIVE LECITHOTROPHIC LIVE BEARER

a reproductive guild (q.v.) where eggs are sometimes fertilised internally by accident when gonopores of otherwise oviparous fish are close together. Eggs may be retained in the female and some early development occurs there (rarely beyond cleavage). Weight decreases during embryonic development, e.g.Rivulus marmoratus,Galeus polli. See also obligate lecithotrophic live bearer