Sex change

Otolith increment morphology of the protandric hermaphrodite Centropomus undecimalis (snook) was analyzed in relation to age and length for sex specific growth differences to retroactively determine the time of sex change. Growth spurts in the otoliths of female snook, the terminal sex, were identified between ages 4 and 8, corroborating the current understanding of when sex change occurs (between 3 and 8). No such growth increases were identified on the otoliths of male snook, the primary sex. Otolith growth, however, was found to decouple from length, so these growth spurts are not reflected in the length of the fish. This study marks the first time that a distinct growth pattern differentiating the primary and terminal sexes, similar to that seen in the protogynous transitional growth spurt hypothesis, has been identified on the otoliths of a protandric species.

This thesis explores the implications of visibility and invisibility of transgender people, their constructed bodies, and how these bodies are used for both personal
empowerment and education. By using various gender theorists for support, I argue that
the transgender male body obtains power through visibility. Despite the many obstacles
transgender males face, putting their bodies in a space of visibility gives them both
personal power and the power to educate others about their bodies and sexuality. In doing
a study of the human body and the different definitions applied to it, I show how we, as a
society, are restricted by gender binaries and how the transgender body serves as a gap
between the socially-constructed terms. Ultimately, transgender people are able to break
through these barriers by subverting the definitions and meaning of “male” and “female.”