1. a reproductive condition in fungi and algae in which an organism can produce both male and female gametes and reproduce sexually with itself or genetically identical individuals.
Usage: biology; mycology; technical

Examples

• Homothallism in certain fungal species allows them to complete their life cycle without requiring a compatible mating partner.
• The yeast strain exhibits homothallism, enabling it to undergo sexual reproduction independently.
• Researchers studied homothallism in the mushroom species to understand its reproductive mechanisms.
• Unlike heterothallic organisms, those with homothallism do not depend on genetic diversity for mating.
• The presence of homothallism in this algae makes it easier to cultivate in laboratory conditions.