1. A reproductive organ that contains both ovarian and testicular tissue; a gonad that produces both eggs and sperm.
Usage: biology; medical; found in hermaphroditic organisms

Examples

• The ovotestis is characteristic of certain parasitic flatworms that are simultaneous hermaphrodites.
• In some mollusks, the ovotestis functions as both an ovary and testis during different reproductive stages.
• The development of an ovotestis allows organisms to produce both male and female gametes.
• Biologists study the ovotestis to understand hermaphroditism in invertebrate species.
• The ovotestis demonstrates an efficient reproductive strategy in organisms with limited mating opportunities.