In nature, clones are derived from a single parental organism or cell by mitotic cell division, asexual reproduction, or parthenogenesis. 在自然條件下來源於有絲分裂所產生的單個親本細胞或生物體，還可能來源於無性繁殖或單性生殖。
Two diploid gametes may fuse to give a tetraploid zygote, or gamete may develop directly by parthenogenesis. 兩個二倍體配子融合可能產生一個四倍體合子，這樣的配子也可以通過孤雌生殖直接發育而來。
However, reproduction is often by parthenogenesis since polyploid animals are often sterile. 然而，它們常常是通過孤雌生殖繁殖的，因為多倍體動物往往不育。
