Hermaphrodites
Advantages- Hermaphrodite organisms do not need to look for a suitable mate (female/male), as they all have both sexes and can mate with any of their species - Less energy required looking for a mate. - Able to create large populations even if there are few individuals, it is less concerning compared to organisms that require mates and a unbalanced male/female ratio can be limiting. - Also able to self-fertilise, such as in plants, which is beneficial if there is a small population. One plant can repopulate the species. | Disadvantages- Less competition for mates, which may allow less suitable or organisms with genetic defects to pass on their genes. Natural selection is less profound. - A more limited gene diversity in self-fertilising plants, and therefore less able to adapt to changing environments. - More energy is used to maintain two reproductive systems. - More likely to have less viable offspring if the organism accidentally self-fertisilises (such as a large external fertilisation in the sea/ocean). |