Protogynous
Protogynous
Protogynous (pronunciation: pro-to-gy-nous, /prəʊˈtɒdʒɪnəs/) is a term used in Biology and Botany to describe a reproductive strategy in which an organism starts its life as a female and later changes into a male. This term is derived from the Greek words 'proto-' meaning 'first' and 'gyn-' meaning 'female'.
Etymology
The term 'Protogynous' is derived from the Greek words 'proto-' meaning 'first' and 'gyn-' meaning 'female'. It was first used in the late 19th century to describe certain species of plants and animals that exhibit this unique reproductive strategy.
Usage in Biology
In Biology, protogynous is used to describe certain species of fish, such as the Clownfish and Wrasse, that change their sex from female to male during their lifespan. This change usually occurs when the dominant male of a group dies, and the largest female changes sex to become the new male. This ensures that there is always a breeding pair, thus increasing the chances of survival for the species.
Usage in Botany
In Botany, protogynous is used to describe certain species of plants where the female reproductive organs mature before the male ones. This is a strategy to prevent self-fertilization and promote cross-pollination. Examples of protogynous plants include certain species of Acer and Aesculus.
Related Terms
- Protandrous: A term used to describe organisms that start their life as a male and later change into a female.
- Sequential hermaphroditism: A type of hermaphroditism that occurs in many fish, gastropods, and plants, where the individual changes its sex at some point in its life.
- Hermaphrodite: An organism that has complete or partial reproductive organs and produces gametes normally associated with both male and female sexes.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Protogynous
- Wikipedia's article - Protogynous
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