THE DEPENDENCE OF SECONDARY SEX-CHARACTERS UPON TESTICULAR HORMONES IN LEBISTES RETICULATUS

Abstract

In 6 Lebistes males the disappearance of the male sex colors was paralleled by atrophy of the testes. The intensiveness, shape and development of the characteristic black, red and yellow pigment spots appear to depend upon the hormones produced by the testes. The female coloration is characteristic of the asexual forms. In 1 hermaphrodite both testis and ovary were present and also both male and female secondary sex characters. The author concludes that the male in Lebistes is heterozygous (XY) and the female homozygous (XX) as to sex chromosome composition.