Historical aspects of protandrous sex change in the anemonefish Amphiprion melanopus (Pomacentridae, Teleostei)

Gonadal structure and cellular composition were examined in juveniles, males and females of the protandric hermaphrodite, Amphiprion melanopus. Functional sex change was experimentally induced in the field and gonad structure was histologically examined both qualitatively and quantitatively at 10, 20, 30 and 45 days after its initiation. Juvenile gonads consist primarily of immature ovarian tissue. Functional male gonads are ovotestes with co-existing mature spermatogenic tissue and immature ovarian tissue, while females possess only ovarian tissue. The initiation of sex change is marked by a rapid maturation of spermatogenic tissue and proliferation of putative oogonia. Gonads were essentially female by 20 days into sex change, but evidence of mature female function (marked by the initiation of vitellogenesis) was not observed until 45 days. Considerable variation between individuals was seen in quantitative measures of gonadal change in the early stages of sex change, but not in later stages. Progress in sex change as indicated by histological indicators was, however, consistent within stages. Duet systems for gamete transport changed from the male to the female form after all male tissue had been replaced.