First histological record of ovotestis in Loxechinus albus (Molina, 1782) from the Marcona coast, Peru
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.53554/boletin.v41i2.483Keywords:
Gonadal intersexuality, echinoids, reproduction, gonadal histology, southeastern PacificAbstract
The occurrence of ovotestis-like gonadal structures was documented in Loxechinus albus from the coast of Marcona, Peru. A total of 925 individuals were collected between November 2023 and August 2024, of which 893 had interpretable histological diagnoses. Four individuals (0.45 %) exhibited both ovarian and testicular components within the examined gonads. Histological samples from these individuals contained oocytes at different stages of development together with spermatozoa, with cases recorded in December 2023 and January 2024. These findings constitute the first histological record of ovotestis in Loxechinus albus from the southern Peruvian coast and establish a baseline for the identification and monitoring of this condition. Further studies spanning longer time series and different environmental conditions will be needed to assess factors potentially associated with its occurrence.
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