Word of the day: "protandric" . . . try and use it in a conversation
Word of the day: "protandric" . . . try and use it in a conversation
Well, I guess techinically my clams have no sex as of yet. I'm guessing that they are just babies. Then come to find out they are male first, then female {well they aquire "female gonads" and become hermaphrodites}. At least that is what Elizabeth Lukan says . . .
"When Tridacnid clams first reach sexual maturity, they are male and then become simultaneous hermaphrodites about a year later. This makes tridacnids protandric.
Clams reach full sexual maturity at approximately 5 to 7 years according to The Reef Aquarium Volume One. But, according to The Secret Of The Giant Clam by Annie Mercier and Jean-Francois Hamel that appeared in Freshwater And Marine Aquarium's May 1996 issue, sexual maturity is reached in 3 to 5 years. Each species matures at a different age. Some clams become sexually mature as males within two years and will then gradually acquire female gonads.
Even though clams have male and female sex organs at maturity, the release of sperm and eggs are separate. This is to prevent self-fertilization, although it is not guaranteed to do so. Usually, sperm is released first and then the eggs."
Bibliography
animal-world.com/encyclo/fishnchips/july99/fnc0799.htm#Critter%20Corner
Author:Elizabeth M. Lukan 7/19/99
Title:"From Us"
Section:"A Baby! - Eh? What'd I Miss? (Reproduction)"