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Anatomical evidence for androdioecy in the clam shrimp Eulimnadia texana

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Abstract

Recent genetic evidence suggests that the clam shrimp Eulimnadia texana exhibits androdioecy, a rare mating system. In this system, individuals are either hermaphrodites or males, pure females not being found. Through the use of light microscopy, this study provides anatomical evidence that egg-bearing individuals are, indeed, hermaphrodites. All such individuals observed possess ovotestes with testicular tissue restricted to the posterior region of the gonad. Developing sperms in hermaphrodites are similar in appearance to those seen in male-only individuals.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biology, USA

    Naida Zucker & Henry P. Adams

  2. Electron Microscopy Laboratories, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, NM, 88003, USA

    Mark Cunningham & Henry P. Adams

Authors
  1. Naida Zucker
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  2. Mark Cunningham
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  3. Henry P. Adams
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Zucker, N., Cunningham, M. & Adams, H.P. Anatomical evidence for androdioecy in the clam shrimp Eulimnadia texana. Hydrobiologia 359, 171–175 (1997). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1003158719289

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1003158719289

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