Sistema urogenital de los leguados de la familia Achiridae (Pisces: Pleuronectiformes) del Golfo de México

Abstract

An unique anatomical pattern of the urogenital system of the Achiridae species from the Gulf of Mexico Achirus lineatus, Trinectes maculatus and Gymnchirus txae is recognized. While the morphology of the gonads fits in the Pleuronectiformes pattern, the shape of the kidney is excluively of the Achiridae, for the development of a posterior renal lobe. This lobe and the urinary bladder occupy together the left secundary body cavity. Ovries are flattened and grow as in the rest of pleuronectiformes into the secundary body cavities, between the axial musculature and the anal pterigiophores. Testicles re small, but spermtic ducts are long. T. mculatus is the species showing more anatomical differences, due to the dorsal position of the right ovary in relation to the posterior intestinl loops, for the stright anterior edge of ovaries, for the pigmentation of the spermtic ducts and for the division in two lobes of the urinary bladder.