dimorphism

Examples of dimorphism in the following topics:

• Sexual Selection

  • These differences are called sexual dimorphisms and arise from the variation in male reproductive success.
  • Sexual dimorphism varies widely among species; some species are even sex-role reversed.
  • Discuss the effects of sexual dimorphism on the reproductive potential of an organism

• Hypothalamus

  • The defeated animal has an increase in Fos levels in sexually dimorphic structures.
  • Several hypothalamic nuclei are sexually dimorphic, i.e. there are clear differences in both structure and function between males and females.
  • Some differences are apparent even in gross neuroanatomy: most notable is the sexually dimorphic nucleus within the preoptic area.

• Phylum Rotifera

  • Rotifers are dioecious organisms (having either male or female genitalia) and exhibit sexual dimorphism (males and females have different forms).

• Micturition and the Micturition Reflex

  • Due to sexual dimorphism, and the positions where the urethra ends, males and females often use different techniques for urination.

• Normal Gastrointestinal Microbiota

  • Candida albicans, a dimorphic fungus that grows as a yeast in the gut.

• Fungi as Plant, Animal, and Human Pathogens

  • Histoplasmosis is caused by the dimorphic fungus Histoplasma capsulatum.

• Phylum Nemertea

  • Animals in phylum Nemertea show sexual dimorphism, although freshwater species may be hermaphroditic.

• Phylum Echinodermata

  • Echinoderms are sexually dimorphic and release their eggs and sperm cells into water; fertilization is external.

• Early Hominins

  • For example, sexual dimorphism was more exaggerated than in modern humans.

• Characteristics and Evolution of Primates

  • The very arboreal gibbons are smaller than the great apes; they have low sexual dimorphism (that is, the genders are not markedly different in size); and they have relatively longer arms used for swinging/brachiating through trees.