Naked Science Forum

Life Sciences => Physiology & Medicine => Topic started by: memasa on 03/01/2005 17:51:41

Title: Epicenism :)
Post by: memasa on 03/01/2005 17:51:41
Hi!

My question isn't purely scientific, but who cares... [:)] I have been playing a rogue-like called ADoM (www.adom.de) for few years now.

In this role-playing game there is a race called Drakelings. They are significantly different from all the others. They are a mythical lizard-like race.

Now as in all RPGs, you choose the sex for your character at creation. The only options are, of course, male and female.

However, I've been thinking that they could perhaps be epicene; hermaphrodite, intersexual, androgynous or neuter. I'm in the process of writing an RFE (request for enhancement) on this.

My question is, is there a species, in our world, able to switch from one sex to another at will? I've read about protandric hermaphrodites, but they cannot switch back to being males once they've turned into females.


Someone from Finland
Title: Re: Epicenism :)
Post by: DrN on 03/01/2005 21:06:19
I've heard of something thats able to do this, but I can't for the life of me remember what it is! basically, if there is a shortage of females, some of the males spontaneously become female! I'm not sure if they can go back again, or if they should technically be called hermaphrodites in the first place. could it be limpits?

I hope someone else with a better memory, or expertise in this area, provides another answer!
Title: Re: Epicenism :)
Post by: neilep on 03/01/2005 23:55:43
quote:
Originally posted by memasa

Hi!


My question is, is there a species, in our world, able to switch from one sex to another at will?. I've read about protandric hermaphrodites, but they cannot switch back to being males once they've turned into females.


Someone from Finland



HUMANS !!!...takes patience and lots of money !!!

This is'nt going to help but I too also remember seeing a documentary where the very ' things' that fishytails describes happens.....it's almost certainly aquatic....I'm sure a passing 'gender changing at will' expert will provide the info you need.


'Men are the same as women...just inside out !'
Title: Re: Epicenism :)
Post by: chris on 04/01/2005 08:45:02
FISH - certain species of fish can switch sex, essentially at will.

Amongst some fish a large body of females mate with a dominant male. If the dominant male is removed then one of the females switches on 'male genes' and changes sex in order to mate with her peers.

Chris

"I never forget a face, but in your case I'll make an exception"
 - Groucho Marx
Title: Re: Epicenism :)
Post by: memasa on 04/01/2005 14:11:59
quote:
Originally posted by chris

Amongst some fish a large body of females mate with a dominant male. If the dominant male is removed then one of the females switches on 'male genes' and changes sex in order to mate with her peers.



Thanx!

Now I only need a name of that fish, and an adjective to describe such oddity with.

Back to surfing the infinite internet.
Title: Re: Epicenism :)
Post by: memasa on 04/01/2005 14:56:54
Ah, the wonders of the world! [;)]

Chris probably refered to the sheephead. (http://www.myoc.com/community/environment/edgeofnature/sheephead.shtml)

But only female sheepheads change to males and not vice versa. So the question is still open!!!

But, yes, the reason why the females change is because sometimes they "...have trouble finding a male to mate with, which is a complete reversal of how it is with humans, where women have the pick of the litter, men beg and grovel to be chosen, and we all pretend this isn’t the way it really works." (http://www.maddogproductions.com/ds_sliced_pbj.htm) [:I]
Title: Re: Epicenism :)
Post by: memasa on 04/01/2005 16:20:31
I'm replying again to my own topic.[:0]

You see, I'm not at home at the moment... And when I get home I only need to copy and paste. How clever is that? [:o)]

Anyway, for more information about hermaphroditism go to: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hermaphrodite
Title: Re: Epicenism :)
Post by: memasa on 04/01/2005 16:46:47
More links:

http://www.cartage.org.lb/en/themes/Reference/dictionary/Biologie/S/124.html

http://www.coralrealm.com/viewpage.asp?page=/glossary.html

http://www.intersexinitiative.org/articles/funfacts.html


Thank you for leading on the right track! This site is so interesting I'll be back soon. [:D]
Title: Re: Epicenism :)
Post by: OldMan on 14/06/2005 04:21:40
I've heard frogs can do this, probably only certain species, but once again not sure if they can go both ways or back to their original sex or not.

Tim
Title: Re: Epicenism :)
Post by: memasa on 16/06/2005 11:17:50
OldMan: I'm almost sure now that there is no such species able to shapeshift back and forth. But fantasy is not bound to realism.

I decided to name it "cyclic hermaphroditism".

The RFE is still unfinished, I haven't written it for weeks...