Intersex red claw crayfish, Cherax quadricarinatus (von Martens): Functional Males with Pre-vitellogenic Ovaries

Amir Sagi, Isam Khalaila, Assaf Barki, Gideon Hulata, Ilan Karplus

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

77 Scopus citations

Abstract

Intersex individuals, possessing both male and female genital openings, were assessed in two groups-7 and 19 months old-of Australian red claw crayfish (Cherax quadricarinatus), All intersex individuals investigated were functional males, as suggested by their male-like morphology and the presence of testes, sperm ducts, androgenic glands, and viable spermatozoa. When an ovary was present in an intersex individual from either group, the gonadosomatic index, the diameter of the oocytes, and the ovarian cytosolic polypeptide profile were similar to those of immature, pre-vitellogenic females. We conclude that intersexuality in C. quadricarinatus does not indicate a case of protandric sequential hermaphroditism, as previously suggested. The case of intersexuality described here presents a unique model for the study of the role of the androgenic gland in the regulation of sex differentiation in crustaceans.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)16-23
Number of pages8
JournalBiological Bulletin
Volume190
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 Jan 1996

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Agricultural and Biological Sciences

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