Dioecious

Definition

Dioecious organisms have distinct male and female individuals, each producing only one type of gamete. In parasitic helminths, this means that reproduction requires both male and female worms.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Dioecious helminths include species like Schistosoma, where separate male and female worms are necessary for reproduction.
2. This reproductive strategy increases genetic diversity by requiring the combination of genetic material from two individuals.
3. In dioecious species, sexual dimorphism is often observed, with males and females exhibiting different sizes or shapes.
4. The presence of both sexes can complicate treatment strategies as it may affect the life cycle and population dynamics of the parasite.
5. Diagnosis of dioecious helminth infections can sometimes involve identifying both male and female worms or their respective eggs in host tissues or excretions.

Review Questions

• What does it mean for a parasitic helminth to be dioecious?
• Give an example of a dioecious parasitic helminth species.
• How does being dioecious benefit the genetic diversity of parasitic helminths?

Related terms

Monoecious: Organisms that have both male and female reproductive organs within a single individual.

Sexual Dimorphism: Physical differences between males and females of a species beyond their sexual organs.

Schistosoma:

A genus of dioecious parasitic worms known as blood flukes, causing schistosomiasis in humans.