In this article, we will explore the theme of Gonochorism with the aim of delving into its importance and relevance in today's society. Gonochorism is a topic that has generated broad interest in different areas, from the academic field to the social and cultural field. Over the years, Gonochorism has been the subject of study and debate, generating divergent and enriching opinions that allow us to better understand its scope and influence on our daily lives. Through the exploration of Gonochorism, we will be able to delve into its multiple dimensions and analyze the impacts it has on our society, as well as reflect on the implications it entails for the future.
State of having just one sex in any individual organism
In biology, gonochorism is a sexual system where there are two sexes and each individual organism is either male or female. The term gonochorism is usually applied in animal species, the vast majority of which are gonochoric.: 212–222
Gonochorism contrasts with simultaneous hermaphroditism but it may be hard to tell if a species is gonochoric or sequentially hermaphroditic. (e.g. parrotfish, Patella ferruginea). However, in gonochoric species individuals remain either male or female throughout their lives. Species that reproduce by thelytokous parthenogenesis and do not have males can still be classified as gonochoric.[clarification needed]
Gonochorism has evolved independently multiple times. It is very evolutionarily stable in animals. Its stability and advantages have received little attention.: 46 Gonochorism owes its origin to the evolution of anisogamy, but it is unclear if the evolution of anisogamy first led to hermaphroditism or gonochorism.: 213
Gonochorism is thought to be ancestral in polychaetes,: 126 hexacorallia,: 74 nematodes,: 62 and hermaphroditic fishes. Gonochorism is thought to be ancestral in hermaphroditic fishes because it is widespread in basalclades of fish and other vertebrate lineages.
Two papers from 2008 have suggested that transitions between hermaphroditism and gonochorism or vice versa have occurred in animals between 10 and 20 times. In a 2017 study involving 165 taxon groups, more evolutionary transitions from gonochorism to hermaphroditism were found than the reverse.
Use across species
Animals
The term is most often used with animals, in which the species are usually gonochoric.
Gonochorism has been estimated to occur in 95% of animal species. It is very common in vertebrate species, 99% of which are gonochoric. 98% of fishes are gonochoric.Mammals (including humans) and birds are solely gonochoric.
Tardigrades are almost always gonochoric. 75% of snails are gonochoric.
Most arthropods are gonochoric. For example a majority of crustaceans are gonochoric.
Examples of species with gonochoric or dioecious pollination include hollies and kiwifruit. In these plants the male plant that supplies the pollen is referred to as the pollenizer.
Other reproductive strategies
Gonochorism stands in contrast to other reproductive strategies such as asexual reproduction and hermaphroditism. Closely related taxa can have differing sexual strategies – for example, the genus Ophryotrocha contains species that are gonochoric and species that are hermaphrodites.
^Schmidt-Rhaesa, Andreas (2013-12-18). Nematoda. Walter de Gruyter. ISBN978-3-11-027425-7. Archived from the original on 2023-04-19. Retrieved 2022-07-27.
^Bester C. "Stoplight parrotfish". Florida Museum of Natural History, Ichthyology Department. Archived from the original on 6 December 2009. Retrieved 15 December 2009.
^Afonso P, Morato T, Santos RS (2008). "Spatial patterns in reproductive traits of the temperate parrotfish Sparisoma cretense". Fisheries Research. 90 (1–3): 92–99. doi:10.1016/j.fishres.2007.09.029.