Sequential hermaphroditism
Sequential hermaphroditism is one of the two types of hermaphroditism, the other type being simultaneous hermaphroditism. It occurs when the organism's sex changes at some point in its life. A sequential hermaphrodite produces eggs and sperm at different stages in life. Sequential hermaphroditism occurs in many fish, gastropods, and plants. Species that can undergo these changes do so as a normal event within their reproductive cycle, usually cued by either social structure or the achievement of a certain age or size. In some species of fish, sequential hermaphroditism is much more common than simultaneous hermaphroditism.
Ocellaris clownfish, Amphiprion ocellaris, a protandrous animal species
Moon wrasse, Thalassoma lunare, a protogynous animal species
A terminal-phase male bluehead wrasse
Small male Arisaema triphyllum plant
A hermaphrodite is a sexually reproducing organism that produces both male and female gametes. Animal species in which individuals are of different sexes, either male or female but not both, are gonochoric, which is the opposite of hermaphroditic.
Garden snails mating
Shells of Crepidula fornicata (common slipper shell)
Clownfish are initially male; the largest fish in a group becomes a female.
Most species of parrotfish start life as females and later change into males.
