Excluding Human Beings, what other species shows such massive diversity between males and females?

Question

I just thought of one...Termites are very different, especially the queen.

Answer 1

Peacocks and peahens.

Answer 2

Look at insect colonies, such as termites as you mentioned and wasp and bee colonies.

Also, species of fish like the Anglerfish have a major difference between males and females (the large fish you see are females, while males are tiny slivers in comparison and actually appear to be parasitic-like in nature). Other fish species use coloration patterns to differentiate between males and females since the colors are used to attract members of the opposite sex for mating purposes.

Black widows also exemplify the diversity between males and females in the same species. Look at the size, color, and behavioral aggressiveness that each member of that sex possesses. The red violin marking on the abdomen is normally a clear indicator that the spider is female.

Ungulates can be differentiated by body size and antler development. I have seen full grown female moose with no antlers present, yet have come across full grown bull moose males with an antler spread that appears longer than I am tall (and I am 6' tall, so you have some sense of perspective).

There may be other examples, but they are not coming to mind at this time.

Answer 3

Humans are almost exactly the same apart from the appearence of sexual organs and the male is generally heavier and stronger under the influence of testosterone. Most mammals are the same as this. Deer, antelope, sheep and goats are differentiated by the antlers or horns which in most cases are present only in males.

Platypus males have venomous spurs. Lions are obvious. Some primates are more dimorphic such as proboscis monkeys, gorillas and orangutans. Only male indian elephants have tusks. Male elephant seals have huge noses, hooded seals blow up a pouch in their nose and sealions have a mane and are vast in comparison to the females.

Most birds and fish are characterized by brightly coloured males. Lizards show some more unusual differences such as flaps of skin or crests. An extinct bird (alive 100 yrs ago) had a massive difference, one sex had a long curved beak and the other had a short straight beak. This is to the effect of a man having our mouths and a woman having a tunk.

Answer 4

Mustelids (the weasel family) also show unusual sexual differences - while most male carnivores (and mammals in general) are slightly larger than the females, male mustelids are easily twice the size of the females.

Also, there are marked differences in the skull structure of the males - you can easily tell a male fisher or wolverine from the female by not only the size but by the much more massive sagittal crest on the back of the skull.

Answer 5

Humans are quite blandin their difference between males and females compared to many of the great apes, birds and insects. Your other responders have correctly indicated the black widow, but gorillas, orangutans and many species much closer to us show a remarkable diversity between the sexes. In most, the male is much larger and more spectacular because it is he who must work to attact the female for mating. And although your preacher may not want you to know it, there is also quite a diversity in sexual preference exhibited in the higher mammalian species as well. We're not alone there either.

Answer 6

the Praying Mantis is the best example - it has sex and then the female eats its partner - how much more diverse could you get? The most interesting part is these male mantises actually know their fate and will give up their lives for sex. How many humans or other animals/insects would do such a thing?

Answer 7

Sexual Dimorphism is shown in loads of species. Birds come to mind because the males usually are brighter, more flamboyant to attract a mate. Lion with that large male main. Orangutan males have large cheeck pouches. In a lot of mammals, such as elephant and bears, the males are much larger. The list could go on and on...

Answer 8

Such massive diversity? Not so massive in humans, surely?
It is only because we are human that we instantly recognise the same sex, and more importantly, the opposite sex. However, to answer your question, most birds show a great diversity. For example domestic fowl, robin, blackbird and what about the peacock? Then there are lions, cows are totally different from bulls and a sow is different to a boar. I could go on & on. My wife says I usually do.......hee hee

Answer 9

The be conscious would not recommend they seem to be a million/2 male or lady. it is likewise spelled hermaphrodite. It does mean - an animal or plant having the two lady and male reproductive organs. This does ensue yet those human beings should not be 'got here across' to entertain ourselves at their cost. I watched a documentary as quickly as that used a digital camera interior the male urethra and it confirmed fossil-like lines of the female reproductive organs. it somewhat is precious to to locate a biology e book extremely of a hermaphrodite.

Answer 10

The word is "sexual dimorphism", and to be honest humans don't show a massive degree of it at all. About the only thing you can say about us is that males are on average slightly bigger and stronger. But even some of our closest relatives, like gorillas, have a much bigger difference between males and females.

Answer 11

My favourite is the Eclectus Parrot. The male is green, and the female is red and blue. For years scientists thought they were 2 different species!