Sex determination: ways to evolve a hermaphrodite

Curr Biol. 2006 Jun 20;16(12):R468-71. doi: 10.1016/j.cub.2006.05.036.

Abstract

Most species of the nematode genus Caenorhabditis reproduce through males and females; C. elegans and C. briggsae, however, produce self-fertile hermaphrodites instead of females. These transitions to hermaphroditism evolved convergently through distinct modifications of germline sex determination mechanisms.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Biological Evolution*
  • Caenorhabditis / anatomy & histology
  • Caenorhabditis / physiology
  • Caenorhabditis elegans / anatomy & histology
  • Caenorhabditis elegans / physiology*
  • Disorders of Sex Development
  • Germ Cells / physiology
  • Helminth Proteins / genetics
  • Helminth Proteins / metabolism
  • Helminth Proteins / physiology
  • Phylogeny
  • Sex Determination Processes*
  • Spermatogenesis / physiology

Substances

  • Helminth Proteins