In sequential hermaphroditism, an individual starts as either male or female and then changes to the other sex at a later time. The change can be triggered by various factors, such as age, size, or environmental conditions.
Animals that display sequential hermaphroditism include:
- Certain fish species, such as the clownfish and the wrasse
- Some molluscs, like the slipper limpet
- Certain polychaete worms
Examples of sequential hermaphroditism in animals:
1. Clownfish: Clownfish are protandrous hermaphrodites, meaning they start as males and later change to females. The dominant clownfish in a group is typically female, and it suppresses the reproductive development of the other males in the group. If the dominant female dies or is removed, the highest-ranking male will change into a female to take her place.
2. Wrasse: Some species of wrasse are also protandrous hermaphrodites. However, unlike clownfish, wrasse can change from male to female multiple times during their lives. This is often triggered by changes in the social hierarchy or the availability of mates.
3. Slipper limpet: Slipper limpets are simultaneous hermaphrodites, meaning they have both male and female reproductive organs at the same time. However, they cannot fertilize their own eggs. Instead, they must mate with another slipper limpet to exchange sperm and eggs.
It's important to note that sequential hermaphroditism is distinct from simultaneous hermaphroditism, in which an organism has both male and female reproductive organs at the same time. Sequential hermaphroditism involves a change from one sex to the other at different stages of an organism's life cycle.