A new experimental model for the investigation of sequential hermaphroditism.

ABSTRACT: The stunning sexual transformation commonly triggered by age, size or social context in some fishes is one of the best examples of phenotypic plasticity thus far described. To date our understanding of this process is dominated by studies on a handful of subtropical and tropical teleosts, often in wild settings. Here we have established the protogynous New Zealand spotty wrasse, Notolabrus celidotus, as a temperate model for the experimental investigation of sex change. Captive fish were induced to change sex using aromatase inhibition or manipulation of social groups. Complete female-to-male transition occurred over 60 days in both cases and time-series sampling was used to quantify changes in hormone production, gene expression and gonadal cellular anatomy. Early-stage decreases in plasm

SUBMITTER: Goikoetxea A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8613207 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature