Hermaphrodite – Meaning, Types, and Examples

Hermaphrodites are organisms that have both male and female sex organs within them. Hermaphrodite flowers have both male and female reproductive organs allowing self-pollination. Hermaphrodite animals are predominantly invertebrates such as worms, bryozoans (moss animals), trematodes (flukes), snails, slugs, and barnacles. They are typically parasitic, slow-moving, or permanently attached to another animal or plant.

Sometimes, mixed breeding systems are observed in both plants and animals, where hermaphrodite individuals coexist with males, females, or all three within the same species. In this article, we will look into the Hermaphrodite meaning, examples, and types of hermaphrodites. We will also discuss Hermaphrodites in Humans and Flowers.

Hermaphrodite Definition: A hermaphrodite is an organism that has both male and female reproductive organs. The condition is called “Hermaphroditism”.

A hermaphrodite is an organism that possesses both male and female reproductive organs. The term hermaphrodite is derived from “Hermaphroditus”, a minor Greek god who is the offspring of Hermes and Aphrodite. Most plants (around 94%) are hermaphroditic in general, as a single plant typically bears both male and female flowers, each containing reproductive organs of both sexes.

Hermaphroditism is a natural phenomenon that is found in certain plants, invertebrates, and some species of fish. It is not seen in humans and other mammals. Hermaphroditism is considered as an evolutionary advantage because it contributes to reproductive success even in absence of suitable mate and also maintains the genetic diversity.

Also Read: Female Reproductive Organs – Anatomy, Diagram, Functions, Disorders

Hermaphroditism is observed in various organisms across different biological kingdoms. Some examples are as follows:

• Hermaphrodite Earthworm: Many species of earthworms are hermaphroditic. They possess both male and female reproductive organs, allowing for reciprocal mating.
• Snails and Slugs: Many gastropods, such as certain snails and slugs, are hermaphroditic. They often have a reproductive system with both male and female parts, and during mating, they exchange sperm with each other.
• Clown Fish: Clown fish are sequentially hermaphroditic. They start life as one sex and later change to the other. For example, the clownfish can change from male to female, and some wrasses can change from female to male.

Both animals as well as plants can be hermaphrodites, so this can be further classified into:

Animal Hermaphrodites

Animal hermaphrodites can be further classified into the following:

Sequential Hermaphrodites

Sequential hermaphrodites, also known as dichogamous organisms, are species in which individuals initially develop as one sex but possess the ability to later transform into the opposite sex. This phenomenon is common in fish species, particularly teleost fish, and also in many gastropods such as the common slipper shell. It is worth noting that sequential hermaphrodites can change their sex only once during their lifetime.

Sequential hermaphrodites can be categorized into three main types:

• Protandry: In this case, an organism transitions from being male to female after initially being born as a male. For example, the clownfish (genus Amphiprion) displays protandry.
• Protogyny: This occurs when an organism is initially born as a female and later undergoes a transformation into a male. An example is seen in the wrasses family (Labridae), where protogyny is commonly observed in reef fish.
• Bidirectional Sex Changers: These organisms possess both male and female reproductive organs and can change their sexual orientation at different stages of their lives. For example, the coral reef fish known as Lythrypnus dalli exhibits bidirectional sex change.

Simultaneous Hermaphrodites

Simultaneous hermaphrodites, also known as synchronous hermaphrodites or homogamous individuals, are adult organisms that possess both male and female sexual organs concurrently. This unique characteristic allows them to be considered as having both sexes within a single individual. Simultaneous hermaphrodites often engage in self-fertilization.

There are several examples found that can be compiled under this category,

• Among the terrestrial animals exhibiting this sexual polymorphism, land slugs, and pulmonate land snails are particularly noteworthy. These organisms are commonly encountered as examples of simultaneous hermaphrodites.
• Another example in the realm of hermaphroditic gastropods is the banana slug.
• Furthermore, earthworms represent another type of simultaneous hermaphrodite.

Hermaphrodite Plants

In botany, the term “hermaphrodite” is used to describe, for example, a perfect flower that possesses both staminate (male, pollen-producing) and carpellate (female, ovule-producing) parts. The majority of flowering plant species exhibit hermaphroditic characteristics.

There are majorly three types of plant hermaphrodites:

Monoecy

Monoecy refers to the characteristic of flowering plant species where individual plants produce both separate male and female flowers. This phenomenon is relatively rare, occurring in approximately 7% of all flowering plant species. Monoecious plants are commonly labeled as hermaphroditic due to their ability to generate both male and female gametes but it’s essential to note that individual flowers are not hermaphroditic. Around 65% of gymnosperm species exhibit dioecy, but conifers are predominantly monoecious. Some plants can change their sex during their lifecycle, a phenomenon termed sequential hermaphroditism.

Also Read: Difference between Angiosperms and Gymnosperms

Andromonecy

Andromonecy characterizes plant species where perfect (hermaphrodite, having both stamen and carpel) flowers coexist with separate, fertile male flowers that are sterile as females. This trait is observed in around 2% of flowering plants, encompassing approximately 4000 species.

Gynomonoecy

Gynomonoecy, on the other hand, denotes plant species that produce both hermaphrodite flowers and separate male-sterile pistillate flowers. One instance of gynomonoecy is found in the meadow saxifrage, Saxifraga granulata.

Hermaphroditic flowers are also known as bisexual flowers. They contain both male (stamens) and female (pistils) reproductive organs within the same flower. This means that a single flower has the potential to produce both pollen (male gametes) and receive pollen for fertilization (female gametes). Examples include rose, guava, mango, etc.

Hermaphroditism, or intersex in humans, is a condition where there is a mismatch between external and internal sexual and genital organs. It falls under the category of disorders of sex development (DSD). This condition can arise from changes in genetic coding. When two fertilized eggs, one with an X chromosome and the other with a Y chromosome, merge, the individual may have both genetic features, making them a hermaphrodite or intersex. There are four main types of hermaphroditism.

• 46, XX Hermaphroditism: An individual with 46, XX hermaphroditism possesses two XX chromosomes and exhibits ovaries characteristic of a woman. However, despite these female chromosomal and gonadal features, the external genitalia of such an individual may appear male.
• 46, XY Hermaphroditism: An individual with 46, XY hermaphroditism possesses one X and one Y chromosome, typically associated with males. However, in this condition, the external genitalia may be incompletely formed or resemble those of females. The internal sexual organs can vary in their development, ranging from normal to incomplete or even absent, depending on the specific case.
• True Gonadal Hermaphroditism: An individual with true gonadal hermaphroditism possesses both ovarian and testicular tissue, which can be found either together in the same gonad, known as an ovotestis, or in separate gonads—one ovary and one testis. The chromosomal composition of individuals with true gonadal hermaphroditism can vary, with some having XX chromosomes, others having XY chromosomes, and some having a combination of both. Additionally, the external genitalia in affected individuals may exhibit a range of forms, spanning from male or female to ambiguous.
• Complex Hermaphroditism: Complex hermaphroditism encompasses a variety of disorders of sexual development that go beyond the typical 46, XX, and 46, XY chromosomal patterns. Examples of such disorders include 45, XO; 47, XXY, and 47, XXX. In contrast to some other forms of hermaphroditism, complex hermaphroditism is not typically characterized by a significant mismatch between internal and external genitalia. Instead, individuals with complex hermaphroditism often exhibit abnormal levels of sex hormones and incomplete sexual development.

Pseudohermaphroditism is a condition characterized by a discrepancy between an individual’s chromosomal and gonadal (ovary or testicle) sex and their external genitalia. Female pseudohermaphroditism pertains to an individual possessing ovaries while exhibiting external genitalia that resembles that of a male. On the other hand, male pseudohermaphroditism describes an individual with testicles and external genitalia resembling those of a female. In certain instances, the external sex organs associated with pseudohermaphroditism may appear intermediary between a typical clitoris and penis. Consequently, the identification of pseudohermaphroditism may not occur until puberty or adulthood. It is a rare condition and can be seen in mammals due to some sex hormone imbalances.

In conclusion, hermaphrodites exhibit a unique reproductive strategy characterized by the presence of both male and female reproductive organs within the same organism. This phenomenon is observed across various species, including both animals and plants. The simultaneous presence of male and female reproductive structures allows for increased flexibility in reproductive interactions, enabling hermaphrodites to engage in both self-fertilization and cross-fertilization.

While hermaphroditism offers certain advantages, such as increased reproductive opportunities, it also poses challenges related to mate selection and preventing self-fertilization. Further exploration of hermaphroditic adaptations contributes to our understanding of the evolution of reproductive strategies and the broader diversity of life on Earth.

Also Read:

• Life Processes
• Parthenogenesis
• Male Reproductive System – Structure and Functions
• Animal Kingdom
• Phylum Annelida
• Phylum Ctenophora
• Platyhelminthes

What is Hermaphrodite Meaning in Biology?

In biology, hermaphrodite refers to an organism possessing both male and female reproductive organs, enabling self-fertilization or cross-fertilization for reproduction.

What is Sexual Dimorphism?

The term “sexual dimorphism” refers to a condition observed in species where the sexes display distinct traits, especially those not directly associated with reproduction. Sexual dimorphism is a phenomenon commonly found in most animals and, to a lesser extent, in some plants.

What is Protogynous Hermaphrodite?

A protogynous hermaphrodite is an organism that is born as a female and later undergoes a sex change to become male. Protogyny falls under the category of sequential hermaphroditism, where an organism changes its sex during its life. Example: clownfish.

What are the Symptoms seen in an Intersex Human Being?

The symptoms of hermaphroditism in humans (intersex) vary based on the specific type of condition and may encompass ambiguous genitalia, micropenis, labial fusion, undescended testes, delayed, absent, or abnormal pubertal changes, etc.

What Causes a Person to be a Hermaphrodite?

Hermaphroditism or intersexuality results from genetic variations affecting the development of reproductive organs. For example, conditions such as congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) or androgen insensitivity syndrome (AIS) can cause atypical development of the genitalia, resulting in individuals with intersex traits.

What is the Difference between Hermaphrodite and Monoecious Plants?

Hermaphrodite plants possess both male and female reproductive organs within the same individual or flower, while monoecious plants have separate male and female structures on the same organism, but not within the same flower.

Define Sexual Dimorphism

Sexual dimorphism denotes the physical distinctions between male and female members of a species, influencing reproductive roles and behaviors.

What is Meant by a Hermaphrodite Women?

A hermaphrodite woman is someone with 46 chromosomes, typically two XX chromosomes and ovaries, yet displays external male genitalia due to exposure to excess male hormones in utero.