Work

Evidence of sequential hermaphroditism in alfonsinos ( Beryx spp.) from the deep northeast Atlantic

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Among 572 specimens of Beryx splendens and B. decadactylus collected in the Azores (northeast Atlantic), we identified 66 hermaphroditic females, primarily of medium size and at early stages of gonadal development. Hermaphroditism was observed more frequently in winter for B. splendens and in spring-summer for B. decadactylus. These findings challenge the prevailing assumption that both species are strictly gonochoristic and reveal previously unrecognized reproductive plasticity. This has important implications for stock assessment and management, given recent evaluations indicating a low abundance of large, fecund individuals in the population.

Source: Journal of Fish Biology

DOI: 10.1111/jfb.70176

Authors: Mariana Cruz, Wendell Medeiros‐Leal, Ualerson Peixoto, Marcelo Fulgêncio Guedes Brito, Maria Domitilia Rosa, Ângela Canha, Andreia Braga‐Henriques, Régis Santos

Institutions: Universidade dos Açores, Instituto do Mar, Universidade Federal de Sergipe, Government of Portugal, Agencia Regional para o Desenvolvimento da Investigacao Tecnologia e Inovacao, Museu de História Natural do Funchal

Language: English

Topic: Reproductive biology and impacts on aquatic species

Subfield: Physiology

Field: Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

Domain: Life Sciences

SDG: Life below water

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $4,480

Funders: European Commission, Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico, Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia

Awards: G1081579998, G1305718020, Comprehensive stock assessment of small-scale multispecies fishery to provide management advice in the Azores, G3020240943, Stock assessment methods and indicators for sustainable development of fisheries in the outermost region of the Azores, G6357214726

OpenAlex ID: W4413222812

FWCI: 0.57

Cites: 35

Cited by: 1

Related to: 10