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Sex change in plants and animals: a unified perspective
Author(s) -
VegaFrutis R.,
MacíasOrdóñez R.,
Guevara R.,
Fromhage L.
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
journal of evolutionary biology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.289
H-Index - 128
eISSN - 1420-9101
pISSN - 1010-061X
DOI - 10.1111/jeb.12333
Subject(s) - biology , modularity (biology) , taxon , perspective (graphical) , evolutionary biology , sex allocation , taxonomy (biology) , ecology , genetics , artificial intelligence , computer science , pregnancy , offspring
The capacity of organisms to change their sex has evolved independently in several plant and animal lineages. Sex change has been widely studied, but research approaches have differed for plants and animals, and conclusions have often been taxon‐specific. Although sex allocation theory provides a unifying framework for the study of sex change, this unity has not always been appreciated, especially in the botanical literature. Here, we review sex change with regard to its representation in relation to taxonomy and other sexual systems, with regard to its suggested adaptive benefits, and to the role of taxon‐specific body architecture, such as modularity and gonadal structure. We highlight differences and similarities between plants and animals and suggest promising lines of future research.