What biological process allows the majority of wrasse species to transition from female to male over their lifespan?
Answer
Protogynous hermaphroditism
The capacity for wrasses to change sex is a remarkable biological feature identified by the term sequential hermaphroditism. Specifically, the majority of species display protogynous hermaphroditism. This designation means that these individuals are functionally female during the initial phase of their lives. As they mature in age and increase in physical size, they retain the biological potential to later transition and begin functioning fully as males. This transition is often visually marked by significant alterations in coloration, moving towards the brilliant patterns associated with dominant males.
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