Comparative morphology of male reproductive systems in Mediterranean blennies (Blenniidae)

The male reproductive organs of 16 species of Mediterranean Blenniidae (Aidablennius sphynx, Blennius ocellaris, Coryphoblennius galerita, Lipophrys adriaticus, L. canevae, L. dalmatinus, L. nigriceps, Parablennius gattorugine, P. incognitus, P. sanguinolentus, P. rouxi, P. tentacularis, P. zvonimiri, Paralipophrys trigloides, Salaria pavo and Scartella cristata) consist of pairs of testes, testicular glands, spermatic ducts, and blind pouches. Three main types of accessory sex organs were found by comparing the external morphology of the male gonads. Differences between species were observed in the volume of the testicular gland in relation to the volume of the testis and in the size and length of the spermatic duels, and blind pouches. The anatomy of the testicular glands of all species investigated do not differ. Each gland consists of ducts that appear to be tubules which terminate at the testis periphery on one side and at the spermatic duct on the other side. Contrary to previous claims, A. sphynx has no fat body in place of the testicular gland; the gland of this species was not distinguishable from that of the other species investigated. In the Lipophrys species, in P. trigloides, and in B. ocellaris, a transition zone between testis and testicular gland is present. The testicular blind pouches empty into the spermatic ducts, into the ureter, or separately on the genital papilla, In most species, the epithelium has no or low folds, while in S. pavo it possesses high folds that nearly fill the lumen of the blind pouches. The morphological results are discussed in connection with taxonomy, ecology, and behaviour of the fishes. (C) 2000 The Fisheries Society of the British Isles.