Sex/Gender Change in Animals??? Is Nature so Mysterious??

 

For Mother Nature, biological sex isn’t always an either-or proposition. Some species come with simultaneously functioning female and male organs. Others change from female to male or vice versa, depending on need or surrounding conditions. The reasons behind this fluid mobility are varied: Some are natural processes that offer a species reproductive flexibility, while others aren’t so natural, often sparked by rising global temperatures.

Some species (of fishes) exhibit sequential hermaphroditism. In these species, such as many species of coral reef fishes, sex change is a normal anatomical process. Clownfish, wrasses, moray eels, gobies and other fish species are known to change sex (For Protection Mainly), including reproductive functions.

1. Clownfish: (Family: Pomacentridae): 

These are bright orange with three white bars, are sequential hermaphrodites, born one sex but able to switch to the other if necessary. In this case, the about-face, which is called protandry, runs from male to female.

A collection of clownfish is always built into a hierarchy with a female fish at the top. When she dies, the most dominant male changes sex and takes her place. Clownfish live in groups where only two members are sexually mature, a large male and an even larger female. The rest are smaller, sexually immature males. If something happens to the female in the breeding pair, her male mate transforms into a female and selects the next biggest male in the group to become her new partner.

                                                The above picture is of a clownfish

 

2. Hawkfish: (Family: Chirrhiditae):  These are vibrantly colored harem dwellers are protogynous, starting off as females that can morph into males when conditions call for it. Typically, this happens when the harem’s male leader takes on too many females, prompting the largest female to turn into a male hawkfish and split away with half the harem. But that’s not the only fact. Unlike most other sequential hermaphrodites that make the switch and stick with it, Hawkfish can switch back again. Female-turned-male hawkfish may revert to female if, say, their new harem loses too many females or if a larger male challenges them.

The above Picture is of a Hawkfish

The Bottom Line: Mother Nature had always been mysterious and Unique. There are many species exhibiting such mysterious phenomena. Lots discovered, More to be discover yet.

(Picture courtesy: google image)

Authored by: Sahidul Islam

If you liked this article Do Comment. That will be an inspiration for my future writings. Thank You~ Sahidul