Bi-directional sex change and gonad structure in the gobiid fish Trimma yanagitai

• Published in: Ichthyological research Vol. 56; no. 1; pp. 82 - 86
• Main Authors: Sakurai, M.(Kagoshima Immaculate Heart Coll. (Japan)), Nakakoji, S, Manabe, H, Dewa, S, Shinomiya, A, Sunobe, T
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Japan Springer Japan 01-01-2009; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: ANALISIS HISTOCITOLOGICO; ANALYSE HISTOCYTOLOGIQUE; Animal Systematics/Taxonomy/Biogeography; Aquariums; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Body size; CONDICIONES SOCIALES; CONDITION SOCIALE; Deep water; DETERMINACION DEL SEXO; DETERMINATION DU SEXE; Ecology; Freshwater & Marine Ecology; GENITALIA; GOBIIDAE; Gonads; HERMAFRODITISMO; HERMAPHRODISME; HERMAPHRODITISM; HISTOCYTOLOGICAL ANALYSIS; Life Sciences; Marine; Marine biology; Marine ecology; Reproductive system; SEX DETERMINATION; Short Report; SOCIAL CONDITIONS; Trimma yanagitai; Zoology; Sex change; Social control; Gobiidae; Hermaphroditism
• ISSN: 1341-8998; 1616-3915
• DOI: 10.1007/s10228-008-0054-1

Bi-directional sex change in the deep-water gobiid fish Trimma yanagitai was examined. The gonads of all individuals consisted of ovarian and testicular elements, and an accessory gonadal structure. In no gonads were both testicular and ovarian parts simultaneously active. Bi-directional sex changes occurred during the rearing experiments in aquaria under conditions of which there was co-existence of two males or plural females. The sex of individuals could be determined by their relative body size or social dominance: the largest individual acting as male and the remainders as female.