sequential hermaphroditism

Sequential hermaphroditism is a biological phenomenon where an organism changes sex at some point during its life. This is a form of hermaphroditism, which is the condition of having both male and female reproductive organs.1

There are two main types of sequential hermaphroditism:
* Protandry: The organism first develops as a male and later changes to a female. This is common in species like clownfish and some shrimp.2
* Protogyny: The organism first develops as a female and later changes to a male. This is observed in species such as wrasses and groupers.3

This sex change is often influenced by social structure or environmental factors, allowing for more efficient reproduction within a population. For example, in some fish species, the largest individual in a group is female, and if she dies, the largest male changes sex to become the new female.24