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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Coral Reef Ecosystem

 The Coral Reef Ecosystems

 

Coral reefs are some of the most diverse and most beautiful ecosystems in the world. Coral polyps (Coelenterates, Kingdom: Animalia, Phylum Coelenterata ), the animals primarily responsible for building reefs, can take many forms: large reef-building colonies, graceful flowing fans, and even small, solitary organisms. Thousands of species of corals have been discovered; some live in warm, shallow, tropical seas and others in the cold, dark depths of the ocean.

Because of the diversity of life found in the habitats created by corals, reefs are often called the "rainforests of the sea." About 25% of the ocean's fish depend on healthy coral reefs. Fishes and other organisms shelter, find food, reproduce, and rear their young in the many nooks and crannies formed by corals. The Northwest Hawaiian Island coral reefs provide an example of the diversity of life associated with shallow-water reef ecosystems. This area supports more than 7,000 species of fishes, invertebrates, plants, sea turtles, birds, and marine mammals.

Coral characteristics:

Shallow water, reef-building corals have a symbiotic relationship with photosynthetic algae called zooxanthellae, which live in their tissues. The coral provides a protected environment and the compounds zooxanthellae need for photosynthesis. In return, the algae produce carbohydrates that the coral uses for food, as well as oxygen. The algae also help the coral remove waste. Since both partners benefit from the association, this type of symbiosis is called mutualism.

 Deep-sea corals live in much deeper or colder oceanic waters and lack zooxanthellae.  Their food habit is a bit different. They takes plankton and organic matter for much of their energy needs.

 Benefits of coral reef ecosystems:

Coral reefs protect coastlines from storms and erosion and offer opportunities for recreation. They are also are a source of food and new medicines. Corals are popular as souvenirs, for home decor, and in costume jewelry, yet corals are living animals that eat, grow, and reproduce. It takes corals decades or longer to create reef structures, so leave corals and other marine life on the reef. Corals are already a gift. Don’t give them as presents. Please stop Giving Corals as a present. They are Living animals. They have Life. Try to enjoy their beauty from a distance. They are not stones. They have life. Corals have long been popular as souvenirs, for home decor, and in jewelry, but many consumers are unaware that these beautiful structures are made by living creatures. Fewer still realize that corals are dying off at alarming rates.

Threats to coral reef ecosystems and New Vision of Corals Importance:

 Unfortunately, coral reef ecosystems are severely threatened. Some threats are natural, such as diseases, predators, and storms. Other threats are caused by people, including pollution, sedimentation, unsustainable fishing practices, and climate change, which is raising ocean temperatures and causing ocean acidification. Many of these threats can stress corals, leading to coral bleaching and possible death, while others cause physical damage to these delicate ecosystems. During the 2014-2017 coral bleaching event, unusually warm waters (partially associated with a strong El Niño) affected 70% of coral reef ecosystems worldwide. Some areas were hit particularly hard, like the Great Barrier Reef in Australia, where hundreds of miles of coral were bleached. Corals are able to recover from bleaching events if conditions improve before they die, though it can take many years for the ecosystems to fully heal. Scientists are also testing new ways to help coral reef ecosystems, such as growing coral in a nursery and then transplanting it to damaged areas. . They can use these organisms and ecosystems to teach many scientific concepts including symbiotic relationships, reproduction strategies, food webs, chemistry, biotic and abiotic interactions, human impacts, and more. Additionally, educators can use corals to teach about conservation and stewardship of the environment.

Photo Credits: Google

Watch this beautiful video of coral: https://youtu.be/nvq_lvC1MRY (You Tube link)

Authored by: Sahidul Islam