What is the Difference Between Protandry and Protogyny?
🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚Protandry and protogyny are types of sequential hermaphroditism, where an organism changes its sex at some point in its life. The key difference between the two lies in the maturation of male and female reproductive parts:
- Protandry: In this phenomenon, male parts mature prior to female parts in an organism. In plants, protandrous flowers mature their stamens (male reproductive organs) before the carpels (female reproductive organs) or stigmas become receptive. An example of protandry in animals is the clownfish.
- Protogyny: In this phenomenon, female parts mature prior to male parts in an organism. In plants, protogynous flowers mature their carpels or stigmas before the stamens become receptive. In hermaphroditic animals, such as earthworms and crustaceans, eggs are produced before sperm.
Both protandry and protogyny promote cross-fertilization and prevent self-pollination, playing a significant role in the survival and reproduction of plants and animals.
Comparative Table: Protandry vs Protogyny
The main difference between protandry and protogyny lies in the maturation of male and female parts in an organism. Here is a table summarizing the differences between the two phenomena:
| Feature | Protandry | Protogyny |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | Protandry is the phenomenon where male parts develop prior to female parts in an organism. | Protogyny is the phenomenon where female parts develop prior to male parts in an organism. |
| Occurrence | Protandry is rare when compared to protogyny. | Protogyny is more common than protandry. |
| In Animals | In animals, protandry refers to the maturation of sperms prior to the eggs. | In animals, protogyny refers to the maturation of eggs prior to sperms. |
| In Plants | In plants, protandry is the maturation of the androecium before the gynoecium. | In plants, protogyny is the maturation of the gynoecium before the androecium. |
| Examples | Examples of protandrous flowers include ivy, salvia, rosebay willowherb, pecan, mints, and legumes. | Examples of protogynous flowers include apples, figworts, pears, Schley, and Elliott. |
Both protandry and protogyny are forms of sequential hermaphroditism, which is the changing of the sex of an organism at some point in its life. These adaptations are significant for the survival and breeding of various plants and animals.
- Parthenogenesis vs Hermaphroditism
- Polygyny vs Polyandry
- Neoteny vs Progenesis
- Parthenogenesis vs Parthenocarpy
- Gynandromorph vs Hermaphrodite
- Male vs Female Gametogenesis
- Patriarchy vs Matriarchy
- Gametogenesis vs Embryogenesis
- Sporogenesis vs Gametogenesis
- Polyandrous vs Polyadelphous Androecium
- Patriarchy vs Feminism
- Autogamy vs Geitonogamy
- Antheridia vs Archegonia
- Progestin vs Progesterone
- Apomixis vs Parthenogenesis
- Geitonogamy vs Xenogamy
- Prototropy vs Tautomerism
- Metagenesis vs Metamorphosis
- Protonephridia vs Metanephridia