Perhaps no other creature's sex life has been so carefully scrutinised as that of the oyster, however, it wasn't until the early 1880s that a Dutch scientist named Hoek discovered the changeable nature of the oyster's sex.
Oysters have the unusual ability to switch their sex, continually during the warm months in some species, or once during the year in the winter months in other species. This fascinating phenomenon is known as protandrie hermaphroditism, from protos, meaning first, andros, a man; Hermes, Greek god of travel; and Aphrodite, Greek goddess of love.
The change of sex is controlled by a number of environmental factors. The most important of these is nutrition. Huge amounts of plankton appear to encourage the female state in oysters, while lesser quantities of food result in male oysters. The sex organ of an oyster is also activated by water temperature, tide, and the salinity of the water.
(I am happy to report that sex changes in humans are far simpler and are usually prompted by teachers using "inclusive" language when discussing gender identity and school policies focused on supporting gender-diverse students rather than the "Three R's", whereas in my days a boy turning up at school in a girl's dress would get a "dressing-down" and sent home to change, together with a stern note to his parents.)
I read about this in the book "The Changeable World of the Oyster" while Padma spent two days helping an oysterfarmer friend selling his oysters during the Christmas (c)rush. Not that this will ever let a 'trans' oyster cross my lips but it's interesting to read about the sexual proclivities of others, especially when one's own have turned into declivities.
It also piqued my interest to visit our oysterfarmer friend at his depot on the Clyde River downriver from us at Chinaman's Point sometime in the new year. If only all my New Year's resolutions were so simple!
(I know I should be suffering from withdrawal symptoms if I stopped binge-watching WHITECHAPEL on iview; or stopped buying more and more books from my favourite op-shops; or weaned myself off drinking countless cups of tea; or ... so, no more New Year's resolutions for me!)
