1. Sexual Reproduction: This involves the combination of genetic material from two parents (typically a male and a female). The male contributes sperm, and the female contributes an egg. When these cells fuse, a zygote is formed, which develops into a new organism.
2. Asexual Reproduction: This involves only one parent and does not require the fusion of gametes (sperm and egg). There are several different forms of asexual reproduction:
* Budding: A new organism develops from an outgrowth or bud on the parent's body.
* Fragmentation: The parent organism breaks into fragments, and each fragment develops into a new organism.
* Parthenogenesis: A female produces offspring from unfertilized eggs.
3. Hermaphroditism: Some animals possess both male and female reproductive organs. They can self-fertilize, but often mate with other hermaphrodites to increase genetic diversity.
There are also less common forms of reproduction like hybridogenesis and gynogenesis, but the three listed above are the most fundamental and widespread.