Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Hermaphroditism found in adult hatchery-reared greater amberjack Seriola dumerili

  • Original Article
  • Aquaculture
  • Published:
Fisheries Science Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The greater amberjack Seriola dumerili is economically important in both capture fisheries and aquaculture. It is a gonochoristic species with no noticeable sexual dimorphism, usually reaching maturity at 3–4 years. Spawning occurs in the Pacific from May to June but varies between regions. During a study on the maturity of greater amberjack, abnormal hermaphrodites (AH) with ovotestes were found. Of the 51 fish examined from June 2017 to April 2018, 2 individuals (3.9%) were classified as AH, with one each identified in February and April 2018. These AHs were larger than the gonochoristic (GC) individuals of the same age. In February, both AH and GCs had sperm-filled seminal lobules and ovaries at the primary yolk stage. By April, atresias were seen in both the AHs and GCs. While oocyte diameter increased in both AHs and GCs between February and April, the gonadosomatic index was lower in AHs. Plasma estradiol-17β and 11-ketotestosterone levels of AHs were similar to those of male GCs. These results suggest that AHs have accelerated growth with potential maturation as functional males. This is the first report on hermaphroditism in the Seriola genus.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4

Similar content being viewed by others

Data availability

Not available.

References

  • Aoki R, Chuda H, Washio Y, Masuma S, Kato K (2020) Sex discrimination of cultured greater amberjack Seriola dumerili using steroid hormones. Fish Sci 86:57–64. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12562-019-01379-z

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Atz JW (1964) Intersexuality in fishes. In: Armstrong CN, Marshall AJ (eds) Intersexuality in vertebrates including man. Academic Press, London & New York, pp 145–232

    Google Scholar 

  • Colaço-Fernandes T, Amadio S (2018) Abnormal hermaphroditism in Pellona flavipinnis (Clupeiformes: Pristigasteridae). J Fish Biol 93:1012–1015. https://doi.org/10.1111/jfb.13820

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Colborn T, Dumanoski D, Myers JP, Binney GE (1998) Our stolen future. Ecologist 28(1):39 (ISBN: 0-525-93982-2)

    Google Scholar 

  • Colucci MS, Topp E (2001) Persistence of estrogenic hormones in agricultural soils: II. 17α-ethynylestradiol. J Environ Qual 30(6):2077–2080

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Corriero A, Wylie MJ, Nyuji M, Zupa R, Mylonas CC (2021) Reproduction of greater amberjack (Seriola dumerili) and other members of the family Carangidae. Rev Aquac 13:1781–1815. https://doi.org/10.2134/jeq2001.2077

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Damstra T (2002) Global assessment of the state-of-the-science of endocrine disruptors: an assessment prepared by an expert group on behalf of the WHO, the International Labour Organisation, and the United Nations Environment Programme

  • De Mitcheson YS, Min L (2008) Functional hermaphroditism in teleosts. Fish Fish 9:1–43. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-2979.2007.00266.x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Devlin RH, Nagahama Y (2002) Sex determination and sex differentiation in fish: an overview of genetic, physiological, and environmental influences. Aquaculture 208:191–364. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0044-8486(02)00057-1

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Djoudad-Kadji H, Benslimane S, Chevalier C, Hafsa K, Exbrayat JM, Iguer-ouada M (2012) First observation of intersex in barbel Barbus callensis (Valenciennes, 1842) collected in Soumman river (Algeria). Cybium Int J Icht 36:531–538

    Google Scholar 

  • Hibiya T, Sato H (1982) Gonads. In: Hibiya T (ed) An atlas of fish histology, 2nd edn. Kodansha Ltd., Tokyo, pp 104–111 (ISBN 4-06-139394-4. in Japanese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Hikita T (1958) Some examples of hermaphroditic gonad found in a Alaska pollack, Theragra chalco gramma (PALLAS). Jpn J Icht 7:77–80. https://doi.org/10.11369/jji1950.7.77

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hikita T, Hashimoto S (1978) A hermaphroditic chum salmon, Oncorhynchus keta, from the Chitose River, with an example of itself-fertilization. Sci Rep Hokkaido Salmon Hatch 32:61–64

    Google Scholar 

  • Kawai T, Matsubara H (2011) Hermaphrodism of the Tiger Puffer, Takifugu rubripes (Actinopterygii: Tetraodontiformes: Tetraodontidae), from Hokuto, Hokkaido, Japan. Bull Fish Sci Hokkaido Univ 61:1–4 (in Japanese with English abstract)

    Google Scholar 

  • Kawase J, Aoki JY, Hamada K, Ozaki A, Araki K (2018) Identification of Sex-associated SNPs of Greater Amberjack (Seriola dumerili). J Genomics 6:53–62. https://doi.org/10.7150/jgen.24788

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Kishi D, Fujii R, Hara T (2014) Hermaphroditism in the successive generations of masu salmon Oncorhynchus masou masou. Jpn J Icht 61:44–46 (in Japanese with English abstract)

    Google Scholar 

  • Kishi D, Fujii R, Tsuji H (2015) Hermaphroditism in the cultured amago salmon Oncorhynchus masou ishikawae. Rep Gifu Prefect Res Inst Fish Aquat Environ 60:6–9

    Google Scholar 

  • Koyama T, Nakamoto M, Morishima A, Yamashita Y, Mizuno N, Kikicho K, Sakamoto T (2019) Sex determination mechanism in Seriola fish. Nippon Suisan Gakkaishi 85:188. https://doi.org/10.2331/suisan.WA2603-4. (in Japanese)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Masuma S, Kusunoki Y, Aoki R (2022) Seasonal changes of plasma sex steroids in captive longtooth grouper Epinephelus bruneus(Bloch) in subtropical regions. Aquac Res 53:1268–1275. https://doi.org/10.1111/are.15660

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Matsuyama M (2010) Endocrine regulation of reproductive cycles in fish. Bull Jpn Soc Fish Oceanogr 74:66–83 (in Japanese with English abstract)

    Google Scholar 

  • Miura C, Yoshihara Y, Shimizu-Yamaguchi S, Hayashi D, Hamada K, Takeda Y, Miura M, Miura T (2014) Controlled feeding alleviates the reduced growth associated with spawning in farmed yellowtail (Seriola quinqueradiata). Aquaculture 424–425:10–17. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aquaculture.2013.12.031

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nakatsukasa Y (1965) An example of the hermaphroditic gonad found in Oncorhynchus keta (WALBAUM). Jpn J Icht 13:59–63. https://doi.org/10.11369/jji1950.13.59. (in Japanese)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Oguri M (1975) On the testicular structures found in the ovaries of the “Cobalt” rainbow trout. Nippon Suisan Gakkaishi 41:915–921. https://doi.org/10.2331/suisan.41.915

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Okiyama M, Kawaguchi T (1974) A hermaphroditic specimen of mackerel Scomber japonicas from the Japan Sea. Jpn J Icht 21:168. https://doi.org/10.11369/jji1950.21.168. (in Japanese with English abstract)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Özenkinci U, Ayaz A, Altınağaç U, Cengiz Ö, Öztekin A (2009) A hermaphroditic specimen of chub mackerel Scomber japonicus in the Dardanelles, Turkey. J Anim Vete Adv 8:1798–1799 (ISSN: 1680-5593)

    Google Scholar 

  • Retheesh TB, Roul SK, Prakasan D, Beni N, Thangaraja R, Abdussamad EM (2017) First record of abnormal hermaphroditism in the common dolphin fish, Coryphaena hippurus (Linnaeus, 1758). Thalassas Int J Mar Sci 33:173–177. https://doi.org/10.1007/s41208-017-0034-1

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sasaki K (1936) An example of hermaphroditism in chum salmon, Oncorhynchus keta. Zool Soc Jpn 41:487 (in Japanese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Sawada Y, Seoka M, Okada T, Miyashita S, Murata O, Kumai H (2002) Hermaphroditism in a captive-raised Pacific bluefin tuna. J Fish Biol 60(1):263–265

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Suzuki N (1997) Histological study on intersexual gonads observed in wild Tiger Puffer, Takifugu rubripes. Bull Nansei Region Fish Res Lab 30:101–113 (in Japanese with English abstract)

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Takahashi H (1989) Testicular structure and gametogenesis. In: Takashima F, Hanyu I (eds) Reproductive biology of fish and shellfish. Midori Shobo, Tokyo, pp 35–64 (ISBN 4-89531-434-0. in Japanese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Takahashi Y (1995) The sex of fish. Hokkaido University Collection of Scholarly and Academic Papers, pp 6–29 (in Japanese)

  • Takahashi H, Sugimoto Y (1978) A spontaneous hermaphrodite of the Japanese eel, Anguilla japonica, and its artificial maturation. Jpn J Icht 24:239–245. https://doi.org/10.11369/jji1950.24.239. (in Japanese with English abstract)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Takano K (1989) Ovary structure and gametogenesis. In: Takashima F, Hanyu I (eds) Reproductive biology of fish and shellfish. Midori Shobo, Tokyo, pp 3–34 (ISBN4-89531-434-0. in Japanese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Takaoka O (2005) Seriola dumerili. In: Kumai H (ed) Aquaculture system saltwater fish. Kouseisha-Kouseikaku, Tokyo, pp 31–43 (ISBN 4-7699-1026-6. in Japanese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Taranger GL, Aardal L, Hansen T, Kjesbu OS (2006) Continuous light delays sexual maturation and increases growth of Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua L.) in sea cages. ICES J Mar Sci 63:365–375. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.icesjms.2005.10.014

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tashiro Y, Nakanishi Y, Takahira K, Hujii H (2003) Estrogenic activity of groundwater in Miyako lsland and in the Southern Part of Okinawa Island. J Ground Hydraul 45(4):419–428. https://doi.org/10.5917/jagh1987.45.419

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Thompson BA (1999) Age distribution and growth of greater amberjack, Seriola dumerili, from the north-central gulf of Mexico. Fish Bull 97(2):362

    Google Scholar 

  • Topp E, Starratt A (2000) Rapid mineralization of the endocrine-disrupting chemical 4-nonylphenol in soil. Environ Toxicol Chem 19(2):313–318. https://doi.org/10.1002/etc.5620190210

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

The authors wish to thank the staff of Amami Station of the Aquaculture Technology and Production Center, Kindai University, for their invaluable assistance in this study. We are also grateful to Dr. Hiromi Oota, Professor Emeritus of Kindai University, and Dr. Sho Shirakashi, Associate Professor of Kindai University, for their constructive feedback on our manuscript. We would also like to thank Editage (http://www.editage.jp) for English-language editing.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Aquaculture Research Institute, Kindai University, 137, Amami, Kagoshima, 894-1853, Japan

    Ryuichiro Aoki

  2. Aquaculture Research Institute, Kindai University, 3153, Shirahama, Wakayama, 649-2211, Japan

    Shukei Masuma, Youhei Washio, Hisashi Chuda & Keitaro Kato

Authors
  1. Ryuichiro Aoki
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Shukei Masuma
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Youhei Washio
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Hisashi Chuda
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Keitaro Kato
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Contributions

All authors were involved in the conceptualization of the study and writing and editing of the manuscript. All authors agree to the submission of the manuscript.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Ryuichiro Aoki.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of interest

The author(s) declare(s) that there is no conflict of interest regarding the publication of this paper.

Ethical approval

This study was approved by the Animal Ethics Committee of the Aquaculture Research Institute of Kindai University and carried out according to the Guidelines for Animal Experimentation of the Aquaculture Research Institute of Kindai University.

Additional information

Publisher’s Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Springer Nature or its licensor (e.g. a society or other partner) holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Aoki, R., Masuma, S., Washio, Y. et al. Hermaphroditism found in adult hatchery-reared greater amberjack Seriola dumerili. Fish Sci (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12562-024-01781-2

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12562-024-01781-2

Keywords

Search

Navigation