Galeus Melastomus (Chondrichthyes): Reproductive Organs

Abstract

Galeus melastomus females, following the typical elasmobranch pattern, have a reproductive system composed of ovary, anterior and posterior oviducts, oviducal glands, and uteri. However, this species has only a functional right ovary associated with the epigonal organ, a lymphomyeloid tissue, producing different types of blood cells. Information about the microscopic anatomy of epigonal organ, oviducal glands, anterior and posterior oviducts, and uteri are reported. For G. melastomus males, externally characterized by two intromittent organs known as claspers and internally by two equally elongate testes, the histology of the epigonal organ, epididymis, paired deferens ducts, Leydig gland, and seminal vesicle is described.