Which term describes a species with separate male and female individuals?

The term that describes a species with separate male and female individuals is dioecious. In dioecious species, individual organisms are distinctly male or female, which means that reproductive roles are divided among different individuals. This sexual strategy can enhance genetic diversity, as it typically requires cross-fertilization between males and females for reproduction to occur.

In contrast, monoecious species possess both male and female reproductive structures within the same individual, allowing a single organism to produce both types of gametes. Hermaphroditic species also contain both male and female reproductive organs in one individual, but they often rely on cross-fertilization with other individuals for reproduction. Polyandrous refers to a mating system where one female mates with multiple males, which is not directly related to the separation of sexes. Therefore, in the context of distinguishing between male and female individuals in a species, dioecious is the accurate term.