Protogynous functional hermaphroditism in the North American annual killifish, Millerichthys robustus.

ABSTRACT: Sex change (sequential hermaphroditism) has evolved repeatedly in teleost fishes when demographic conditions mediate fundamentally different sex-specific returns for individuals of particular age and size. We investigated the conditions for potential sex change in an annual killifish (Millerichthys robustus) from temporary pools in Mexico. In natural populations, we detected adults with intersex colouration and gonads. Therefore, we experimentally tested whether this apparent sex change can be generated by manipulation of ecological and social conditions, rather than being caused by environmental disturbance. We demonstrated functional protogynous (female-to-male) sex change in 60% replicates, when groups of five females interacted and had a visual and olfactory cue of a male. Only one fem

SUBMITTER: Dominguez-Castanedo O 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9163151 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature