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Sex change in the Mollusca
1Department of Psychology, Yale University, PO Box IIA, Yale Station, New Haven, CT 06520, USA.
Trends in Ecology & Evolution
|January 14, 2011
Summary
Mollusks primarily exhibit male-to-female sex change (protandry), likely due to female availability. This process is influenced by ecological factors and varies physiologically between species.
Area of Science:
- Marine Biology
- Evolutionary Biology
- Reproductive Biology
Background:
- Sex change in Mollusca is predominantly protandric (male to female), observed in gastropods and bivalves.
- Protandry's adaptive value is linked to limited female availability and size-independent male reproductive success.
- Reproductive success in female mollusks is typically size-dependent.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the ecological and physiological mechanisms of sex change in Mollusca.
- To explore variations in sex change timing and activation across different gastropod superfamilies.
Main Methods:
- Comparative analysis of sex change patterns in Calyptracea and Patellacea gastropod superfamilies.
- Examination of ecological influences on the age of sex change in studied species.
- Investigation of the physiological sites of sex change activation (central nervous system vs. gonads).
Main Results:
- Some species in Calyptracea and Patellacea alter sex change timing in response to ecological changes.
- The critical ecological triggers for sex change differ between these superfamilies.
- Physiological mechanisms for sex change activation vary: central nervous system in Crepidula fornicata (Calyptracea) and gonads in Patella vulgata (Patellacea).
Conclusions:
- Molluscan sex change research offers diverse evolutionary and proximal perspectives.
- Further research integrating this breadth of knowledge is crucial for understanding sex determination and change.
- Ecological and physiological plasticity in sex change highlights adaptive strategies in mollusks.
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