what advantage does hermaphrodatism have for slow-moving organisms such as the earthworm?

Answer 1

Asexual reproduction is better because it's easier since there's no need for a second parent. Sexual reproduction has advantages because of variability, but in simple creatures such as earthworms, the pros of asexual outweigh the cons.

Answer 2

This is a huge advantage for earthworms because every worm they meet is a potential mate.

If you want to raise gerbils and you're just going to buy two gerbils, you need to be sure you are buying a male and a female. You can't just pick out the two gerbils you like the best.

If you want to raise earthworms and you're just going to buy two worms, any two worms will do. Each worm can give sperms to the other worm. Every earthworm is a potential breeding partner for every other earthworm.

Even though earthworms are hermaphrodites, they do not self-fertilize. They always exchange sperms with another worm and fertilize their eggs later with the donor sperm.

Answer 3

The trait allows for the procreation of the species in situations where the individual cannot find a breeding partner.

Answer 4

Every worm that they meet is a potential sex partner. hence, a higher liklihood of the species carrying on.