ISSN:
1095-8649
Source:
Blackwell Publishing Journal Backfiles 1879-2005
Topics:
Biology
Notes:
The freshwater fish fauna of Greece is a diverse assemblage of mediterranean, Ponto-Caspian, and endemic western Greek elements. In the last category, a gobiid from Epirus has been found to possess a dermal perianal organ unique among teleosts, as well as systematic features warranting recognition of a new genus, Economidichthys gen. nov. (type-species Gobius pygmaeus Holly, 1929). The perianal organ is a sharply-demarcated, pitted area on the rear abdomen. Light-and electron-microscopy has revealed numerous specialized microvillous cells lining the pits and evidently secretory in function. Presence of the organ in both sexes, its ventral position and the secretory activity originally suggested an attachment role rather than involvement in reproduction, but obvious correlation with habitat is lacking and alternative functions are discussed.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1095-8649.1987.tb05280.x
Permalink