Principles of Genetics and Breeding

4.1.4.3 Synchronous hermaphroditism

• Both male and female states co-exist functionally, and both eggs and spermatozoa mature at the same time.
• Occasionally found among modern teleost fishes, particularly in family, serranidae, cyprinodontidae, Rivulus marmoratus.
• This is the most uncommon form of hermaphroditism.
• Rivulus marmoratus is native to parts of South Eastern United States and Cuba.
• Its hermaphrodite nature was demonstrated by Harrington (1961) who described the gonad as containing mature ova and spermatozoa.
• Self fertilization is possible in this species. Self fertilization is the highest natural form of inbreeding and if a species reproduced by this means over a number of generations it would become homozygous at many if not all loci.