Sexual system
Distribution of male and female functions across a species. / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
For Linnaeus' sexual system, a classification of plants, see Linnaean taxonomy § Classification for plants.
A sexual system is a distribution of male and female function across organisms in a species.[1][2] The terms reproductive system and mating system have also been used as synonyms.[3]
Sexual systems are a key factor for genetic variation and reproductive success, and may also have led to the origin or extinction of certain species.[4] The distinctions between different sexual systems is not always clear due to phenotypic plasticity.[2]
Interests in sexual systems go back to Darwin, who found that barnacles contain species that are androdioecious and some that are dioecious.[5]