Fish Ears Are Sensitive To Sex-Change

Main Category: Veterinary
Also Included In: Biology / Biochemistry
Article Date: 26 Nov 2008 - 5:00 PDT

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Many animals, including most tropical reef fishes, start life as one sex and later change sex to function as the other. Our understanding of life history evolution, and effective fisheries management, therefore relies on our ability to detect when this fundamental transition occurs.

Using the model reef fish Parapercis cylindrica, we experimentally illustrate that the age at sex change in individuals can be determined from the daily periodic growth patterns of their otoliths.

It will now be possible to reconstruct the complete, often complex life history of hermaphroditic individuals; from hatching through to terminal-reproductive status.

Royal Society Journal Biology Letters

Biology Letters publishes short, innovative and cutting-edge research articles and opinion pieces accessible to scientists from across the biological sciences. The journal is characterised by stringent peer-review, rapid publication and broad dissemination of succinct high-quality research communications.

Biology Letters

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