Question

What are hermaphrodites? Give examples.

Answer 1

A true hermaphrodite refers to an individual in which both gonads are functional. In humans, the term intersex is used instead of hermaphrodite as it can be misleading.

Complete answer:
A hermaphrodite is an organism that has complete or partial reproductive organs and produces gametes normally associated with both male and female sexes. Many animals do not have separate sexes. In these groups, a form of sexual reproduction occurs in which either partner can act as the "female" or "male". For example, a large number of tunicates, pulmonate snails, opisthobranch snails, earthworms, and slugs are hermaphrodites. Hermaphroditism is also found in some fish species and plants too, called monoecious or bisexual. Most hermaphroditic species show some degree of self-fertilization.
Different types of hermaphroditism include Sequential hermaphrodites, simultaneous hermaphrodites, and pseudohermaphroditism.
->Sequential hermaphrodites or dichogamy occur in species in which the individual is born as one sex, but can later change into the opposite sex. Sex can be changed only once. It is commonly seen in fish (mostly teleost fish), many gastropods, and some flowering plants.
->Simultaneous hermaphrodites are those in which the individual may possess fully functional male and female genitalia. Mostly, self-fertilization occurs. For example, banana slugs, earthworms, hamlets, mangrove killifish, etc.
->Pseudohermaphroditism occurs in spotted hyenas. The males have a penis and the females have an enlarged clitoris which is sometimes mistaken to be a penis. Their gender is difficult to determine until they reach sexual maturity. When a female spotted hyena gives birth, they pass the cub through the cervix internally, but then pass it out through the elongated clitoris.

Note: In humans, the term is used to describe an individual having both male and female organs. However, that individual may not be considered a true case of hermaphroditism since usually one of the two gonads present may not be functional.