One of the most famous animations in Pixar’s history, Finding Nemo has the curious clownfish as its inspiration; understand
The renowned film “Finding Nemo”, released in 2003, manages to enchant entire families with its engaging narrative and captivating characters. However, it is not recommended to use Pixar’s animated work as a reference in science classes due to several scientific inaccuracies.
Clownfish in real life
In real life, if a family of clownfish were attacked by a predator that devoured the matriarch, the situation would take a very different turn from what we saw in the animation. This is because clownfish are sequential hermaphrodites, meaning they have the ability to change sex throughout their lives. In this case, with the mother’s death, Nemo’s father would probably transform into a female, and possibly mate with another male, or even with his own offspring.
This curious fact is due to the fact that clownfish are born with both testicular and ovarian tissue, where social and demographic factors influence which sex will prevail. As the UOL news portal explains, this phenomenon is known as protandrous sequential hermaphroditism, where individuals begin their lives as males and can become females in adulthood.
The word “hermaphroditism” dates back to Greek mythology, referring to the god Hermaphroditus, son of Hermes and Aphrodite, who represented a fusion of masculine and feminine aspects. This mythological concept is reflected in the biological adaptations observed in several marine species.
Renata Guimarães Whittonprofessor at the Biosciences Institute at the University of São Paulo (USP), explained to UOL that hermaphroditism can be simultaneous or sequential. The first being restricted to animals that are in coral reefs.
“Simultaneous hermaphroditism presents individuals with both functional sexes at the same time, characterized by the presence of female and male tissue from the initial stages of gonadal development,” said the professor, who also explained that this is an uncommon type in vertebrate fish and it is restricted to marine species that inhabit coral reefs.
The educator continues stating that “In protandria [sequencial]individuals are initially male and, later, in adulthood, they transform into females, with the testicles being replaced by functional ovaries. In protogyny, individuals are female and, later, the ovaries are replaced by testes.”
Although Pixar was right to portray clownfish inhabiting sea anemones — a symbiotic relationship where both organisms benefit —, the film does not address the reproductive complexities of these fish.
Also read: Did he have a brother? Discover the story of the discarded Finding Nemo sequel
Source: Recreio
