PROTOGYNY Meaning and
Definition
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Protogyny is a term used in biology to describe a phenomenon where an organism begins its life as a female and later undergoes a sex change to become a male. It is the opposite of protandry, where an organism starts as a male and later changes into a female. The term is commonly used in the context of sequential hermaphroditism, which refers to the ability of certain species to change their sex during their lifetime.
In protogynous species, such as some fish, mollusks, and plants, the female individuals mature first and can reproduce as females. However, due to environmental or social factors, such as the absence of male individuals or a vacancy in territories, some individuals may switch their sex to male. This transition typically involves the development of male reproductive organs, as well as changes in behavior, appearance, and physiology.
Protogyny is a remarkable strategy that allows organisms to adapt to changing environmental conditions and maximize reproductive success. It ensures the continuous production of offspring by initially investing in female reproduction, while later enhancing reproductive opportunities by becoming a male. This mechanism of sex change has significant implications for the reproductive dynamics, population structure, and overall stability of the species exhibiting protogyny. Scientists study protogyny to gain insights into the evolution of sex determination and the strategies employed by organisms to optimize reproductive success in varying ecological contexts.
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Maturity of the female elements in an hermaphrodite flower before the male elements.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for PROTOGYNY
- protoginy
- protogqny
- protogxny
- protogy.y
- protogyfy
- protogyly
- protogyoy
- protogyn9
- protogyni
- protogynq
- protogynx
- protwogyny
- pr otogyny
- pro togyny
- prot ogyny
- proto gyny
- protog yny
- protogy ny
- protogyn y
Etymology of PROTOGYNY
The word "protogyny" is derived from the Greek roots "proto-" meaning "first" or "early", and "gynḗ" meaning "woman" or "female". The combining of these roots gives "protogyny", which refers to a reproductive strategy where an organism starts life as a female and later changes into a male, such as in some species of fish and invertebrates. The term is used in the context of biology and reproductive biology to describe this specific phenomenon.
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