Hermaphroditism

Hermaphroditism is a biological condition in which an individual possesses reproductive organs and gametes associated with both male and female sexes. In many contexts, the term refers to organisms capable of producing both eggs and sperm, either simultaneously or sequentially during their life cycle.

Simultaneous hermaphrodites carry functioning male and female gonads at the same time. This pattern occurs in a variety of animals, especially many invertebrates such as snails, slugs, earthworms, and some barnacles, as well as a minority of fish. Reproduction may involve self-fertilization or cross-fertilization with another individual, depending on species and ecological context.

Sequential hermaphroditism occurs when an individual changes sex during its lifetime. Two common forms are protandry, where individuals begin life as males and later become females, and protogyny, where individuals begin as females and later become males. This pattern is well documented in coral reef fishes, including clownfish (protandrous) and many wrasses and parrotfishes (protogynous).

Plants also exhibit hermaphroditism; many flowers are hermaphroditic, containing both stamens (male) and pistils (female). In botany, hermaphroditism is often described in terms of perfect or bisexual flowers, though some plants have separate male or female flowers on the same or different individuals.

In humans, the term hermaphroditism is largely considered outdated and stigmatizing. The preferred term is intersex, referring to a range of conditions involving chromosomal, gonadal, or anatomical sex that does not fit typical definitions of male or female.