Synopsis
Female mosquitofish,Gambusia affinis affinis, were masculinized by exposure to degradation products (presumably steroids) of the plant sterol, stigmastanol. Masculinization was indicated by the induction of a male-like gonopodium in each specimen. The morphogenetic stages of gonopodial development are discussed as are the anatomical specializations produced in the mature gonopodial tip.
Similar content being viewed by others
References cited
Bortone, S.A. & D.T. Drysdale. 1981. Additional evidence for environmentally induced intersexuality in poeciliid fishes. Assoc. Southeast Biol. Bull. 28: 67.
Conner, A.H. & J.W. Rowe. 1975. Neutrals in southern pine tall oil. J. Am. Oil Chem. Soc. 52: 334–338.
Conner, A.H., M. Nagaoka, J.W. Rowe & D. Perlman. 1976. Microbial conversion of tall oil sterols to C19 steroids. Appl. Envir. Microbiol. 32: 310–311.
Denton, T.E., W.M. Howell, J.J. Allison, J. McCollum & B. Marks. 1985. Masculinization of female mosquitofish by exposure to plant sterols andMycobacterium smegmatis. Bull. Environ. Contam. Toxicol. 35: 627–632.
Howell, W.M., D.A. Black & S.A. Bortone. 1980. Abnormal expression of secondary sex characters in a population of mosquitofish,Gambusia affinis holbrooki: evidence for environmentally-induced masculinization. Copeia 1980: 676–681.
Marsheck, W.J., S. Kraychy & R.D. Muir. 1972. Microbial degradation of sterols. Appl. Microbiol. 23: 72–77.
Peden, A.E. 1972. The function of gonopodial parts and behavioral pattern during copulation byGambusia (Poeciliidae). Can. J. Zool. 50: 955–968.
Rosa-Molinar, E. & C.S. Williams. 1984. Notes on fecundity of an arrhenoid population of mosquitofish,Gambusia affinis holbrooki. Northeast Gulf Sci. 7: 121–125.
Rosen, D.E. & M. Gordon. 1953. Functional anatomy and evolution of male genitalia in poeciliid fishes. Zoologica 38: 1–47.
Turner, C.L. 1941a. Gonopodial characteristics produced in the anal fins of females ofGambusia affinis affinis by treatment with ethynyl testosterone. Biol. Bull. 80: 371–383.
Turner, C.L. 1941b. Morphogenesis of the gonopodium inGambusia affinis affinis. J. Morph. 69: 161–185.
Turner, C.L. 1942. A quantitative study of the effects of different concentrations of ethynyl testosterone and methyl testosterone in the production of gonopodia in females ofGambusia affinis. Physiol. Zool. 15: 263–380.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Howell, W.M., Denton, T.E. Gonopodial morphogenesis in female mosquitofish,Gambusia affinis affinis, masculinized by exposure to degradation products from plant sterols. Environ Biol Fish 24, 43–51 (1989). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00001609
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00001609