Daphnia live birth (parthenogenesis)
Daphnia are great for investigating reproduction. Eggs and 'babies' are often visible through the body wall of female adults, and they often give birth when viewing them under the microscope. A gentle prod with a pointer can initiate release of their young.
They have a parthenogenetic cycle (during the warmer months) and a sexual cycle is prompted in the lead-up to harsher conditions, e.g. winter.
Image author: Dita Vizoso
