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An abnormal hermaphrodite piked spurdog, Squalus megalops, schooling with mature males

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  31 July 2009

J. Matias Braccini
J. Matias Braccini*
Affiliation:
Marine and Freshwater Fisheries Research Institute, Fisheries Victoria, Department of Primary Industries, PO Box 114, Queenscliff, Victoria 3225, Australia and Department of Zoology, University of Melbourne, Parkville 3052, Victoria, Australia
*
Correspondence should be addressed to: J. Matias Braccini, Marine and Freshwater Fisheries Research Institute, Fisheries Victoria, Department of Primary Industries, PO Box 114, Queenscliff, Victoria 3225, Australia email: matias.braccini@dpi.vic.gov.au
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Abstract

Of 929 piked spurdogs, Squalus megalops, collected in south-eastern Australia, one individual was hermaphrodite. This individual presents a rare case of abnormal hermaphroditism in sharks where the female reproductive tract (left side) possessed a mature yolky ovarian follicle but completely undeveloped uterus and oviducal gland, and the male reproductive tract (right side) was fully developed. The hermaphrodite was found schooling with mature males. The morphological and behavioural characteristics suggest that this individual would function as a normal male.

Keywords

abnormal hermaphroditepiked spurdogSqualus megalopsmature males
Type
Research Article
Information
Marine Biodiversity Records , Volume 2 , January 2009 , e132
Copyright
Copyright © Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom 2009

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