The ocurrence of hermaphroditism in mullet Mugil platanus (Pisces, Mugilidae) at Cananéia estuarine region, São Paulo, Brazil

Abstract

The main objective of this work is to show the occurrence of hermaphroditism in two specimens of the mullet Mugil platanus, caught in the estuarine-lagunar region of Cananéia, São Paulo State, from June/1988 to October/1990. The first specimen (A) presented features of a male in final maturation stage, but at the anterior portion of the right lobe of the gonad, a small round structure containing yellow oocytes was observed. The second specimen (B) presented ribbon like gonad little developed, resembling a testis in spent stage. Observing the microscopic features of the gonads of both specimens, a predominance of testicular portion was evident when compared to the ovarian portion. At specimen A, the portion of ovarian tissue was separated from the testicular portion through a layer of conjunctive tissue, while in specimen B this was not observed. The testicular portion showed all the cells of the spermatogenic series in both animals. The ovarian portion of the specimen A presented oocytes in different phases. At specimen B great number of oocytes in advanced vitelogenic phase mixed with sperm were observed.