1. A form of sexual reproduction in certain protozoans (especially ciliates) in which two individuals exchange nuclear material while remaining in contact, without complete fusion of the organisms.
Usage: biology; technical; also called conjugation in some contexts

Examples

• Endomixis occurs in some ciliate species as a means of genetic exchange.
• During endomixis, the two protozoans remain attached while swapping genetic material.
• The process of endomixis allows for genetic recombination without the formation of a zygote.
• Researchers observed endomixis under the microscope in the paramecium culture.