Many organisms in the deep sea live in conditions where resources are rare and populations are small and sparse. Many of those species are also hermaphroditic. Which of these is a plausible explanation for high rates of hermaphroditic species there?

a. Reproductive assurance: any individual of the same species is a potential mate

b. Excess energy: excess resources can be allocated to the other sex function

c. Size advantage: males are more successful when large, but female fitness does not change with size

d. Small body size: one sex or the other needs only a miniscule body size for full function

e. Inbreeding: populations are inbred and hermaphroditism is a side effect

Question

Biology

Audrey Brady

9 February, 08:59

Many organisms in the deep sea live in conditions where resources are rare and populations are small and sparse. Many of those species are also hermaphroditic. Which of these is a plausible explanation for high rates of hermaphroditic species there?

a. Reproductive assurance: any individual of the same species is a potential mate

b. Excess energy: excess resources can be allocated to the other sex function

c. Size advantage: males are more successful when large, but female fitness does not change with size

d. Small body size: one sex or the other needs only a miniscule body size for full function

e. Inbreeding: populations are inbred and hermaphroditism is a side effect

+5

Answers (1)

Know the Answer?

Lailah Compton · Answer 1

The correct option is A) Reproductive assurance: any individual of the same species is a potential mate.

Explanation:

A hermaphrodite can be described as an organism that is capable to produce gametes associated with both the male and female sexes. It has a complete or partial reproductive organ.

In the deep sea, biodiversity is scarce. There are limited amounts of organisms present. Hence, to have a reproductive assurance, the organisms present in the deep sea are mostly hermaphrodite. Hence, they will be able to mate with any organism of the same species.