The key difference between hermaphrodite and pseudohermaphrodite is that a hermaphrodite is an organism with both male and female genitalia, while pseudohermaphrodite is an organism whose gonads are consistent with the chromosomal sex but who has external genitalia of the opposite sex.
Sex determination is totally genetic. Every male and female have different genes that specify their sexual morphology. The XY sex-determination system is a biological sex-determination system used to classify many mammals, including humans. In this system, females normally have two of the same kind of sex chromosomes (XX) while males normally have two different kinds of sex chromosomes (XY). Most organisms produce offspring that have two distinct sexes. But in some species, there are hermaphrodites and pseudohermaphrodites which show abnormal sexual development patterns.
CONTENTS
1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is a Hermaphrodite
3. What is a Pseudohermaphrodite
4. Similarities Between Hermaphrodite and Pseudohermaphrodite
5. Side by Side Comparison – Hermaphrodite vs Pseudohermaphrodite in Tabular Form
6. Summary
What is a Hermaphrodite?
A hermaphrodite is an organism with both male and female genitalia. This phenomenon is called hermaphroditism. Many invertebrates do not have separate sexes. Therefore, hermaphroditism is a normal condition for these organisms. For example, the majority of tunicates, pulmonate snails, opisthobranch snails, earthworms, and slugs are known as hermaphrodites. Hermaphroditism is also found in some fish species. However, hermaphroditism is observed in vertebrates to a lesser degree.
Figure 01: Hermaphrodite
Hermaphrodites are capable of producing both male and female gametes. In humans, this term describes individuals that process both male and female reproductive organs. Anyhow, sometimes, these individuals may not be considered as true hermaphrodites since usually one of the two gonads present may not be functional. True hermaphrodites refer to individuals with two functional gonads. This is because true hermaphrodites have both functional testicular and ovarian tissue. Hermaphrodites are further classified into two groups: simultaneous & sequential. Simultaneous hermaphrodites have both male and female reproductive organs at the same time. Sequential hermaphrodites have one type of reproductive organ early in life and then the other type later in life.
What is Pseudohermaphrodite?
Pseudohermaphrodite is an organism whose gonads are consistent with the chromosomal sex but who has external genitalia of the opposite sex. It is often a term for an individual that is born with primary sex characteristics of one sex but develops the secondary sex characteristics that are different from what it would be expected on the basis of the gonadal tissue; ovary or testis. There are mainly two types: male pseudohermaphrodites and female pseudohermaphrodites.
Figure 02: Pseudohermaphrodite
Male pseudohermaphrodites are individuals whose gonads are primarily testes but whose secondary sexual characteristics or external genitalia resemble those of a female. Female pseudohermaphrodites are individuals whose gonads are primarily ovaries but whose secondary sexual characteristics or external genitalia resemble those of a male.
What are the Similarities Between Hermaphrodite and Pseudohermaphrodite?
- Both are abnormal sexual development patterns.
- These conditions are present in animals.
- Both are contributed to the diversity in organisms.
- Both conditions are controlled by genetics.
What is the Difference Between Hermaphrodite and Pseudohermaphrodite?
A hermaphrodite is an organism with both male and female genitalia. In contrast, pseudohermaphrodite is an organism whose gonads are consistent with the chromosomal sex but who has external genitalia of the opposite sex. So, this is the key difference between hermaphrodite and pseudohermaphrodite. Hermaphrodites are usually observed in invertebrates such as tunicates, snails, and worms. Pseudohermaphrodites are usually observed in vertebrates like humans. Thus, this is also a significant difference between hermaphrodite and pseudohermaphrodite.
The below infographic lists the differences between hermaphrodite and pseudohermaphrodite in tabular form.
Summary – Hermaphrodite vs Pseudohermaphrodite
Sex determination in animals is a very important part of reproduction. A sex-determination system determines the development of sexual characteristics. Many organisms that produce their offspring using sexual reproduction have two distinct sexes. In some species, there are hermaphrodites and pseudohermaphrodites, which show abnormal sexual development patterns. Hermaphrodite is an organism with both male and female genitalia. Pseudohermaphrodite is an organism whose gonads are consistent with the chromosomal sex but who has external genitalia of the opposite sex. Thus, this is the summary of the difference between hermaphrodite and pseudohermaphrodite.
Reference:
1. “Hermaphrodite – Definition, Causes and Examples.” Biology Dictionary, 28 Apr. 2017, Available here.
2. “Pseudohermaphroditism.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., Available here.
Image Courtesy:
1. “The hermaphrodite survivor – “Lars von Trier” point of view” By Welcome Images (CC BY 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Photograph of pseudohermaphroditism Wellcome L0050109” By : Tétine : (CC BY-ND 2.0) via Flickr