embryonic cannibal live bearer

a reproductive guild (q.v.) where only one or a few eggs from the ovary develop into a juvenile. Other yolked ova are fed on by the juveniles as ovulated (oophagy) or less developed embryos are eaten by the more developed ones (adelphophagy). There is specialisation for intrauterine respiration. The largest gain in weight is during intrauterine development, e.g. Carcharias taurus