英中_两类热带鰕虎鱼之生殖器官与繁殖系统.pdfVIP

Journal of Fish Biology (2001) 59, 1686–1691 doi:10.1006/jfbi.2001.1794, available online at on Reproductive apparatus and mating system in two tropical goby species C. M Dipartimento di Biologia, Universita` di Padova, Via U. Bassi 58/B, 35131 Padova, Italy (Received 29 May 2001, Accepted 13 September 2001) Field observations demonstrated that two gobiid species Amblygobius nocturnus and Valenciennea muralis have a monogamous mating system. Histological analyses showed an extreme reduction of male accessory organs relative to other gobiids in A. nocturnus, and their complete absence in V. muralis. 2001 The Fisheries Society of the British Isles Key words: Gobiidae; seminal vesicles; monogamy. The male reproductive apparatus of gobiids is characterized by the presence of a pair of accessory gonadal structures, usually called seminal vesicles (Fishelson, 1991), sperm duct glands (Miller, 1984), or accessory gonadal structures (Cole, 1990). In gobies these organs are highly variable in development at both inter- and intraspecific levels and appear to produce mucins (Fishelson, 1991; Mazzoldi, 1999). In some species, it has been demonstrated that these substances play a key role in fertilization dynamics as males deposit sperm trails, i.e. bands of mucins in which sperm is embedded on the nest surface (Marconato et al., 1996). Trail mucins dilute slowly in water, causing a gradual and continuous release of sperm over extended periods of time (Mazzoldi, 1999). Their role in reducing sperm dispersion in the water may favour economy of sperm production in goby species in which egg deposition occurs over an extended period (Mazzoldi, 1999). The observation that seminal ve