Resumo

KOBELKOWSKY D., Abraham. Sistema urogenital de los lenguados de la familia Achiridae (Pisces: Pleuronectiformes) del Golfo de México. Hidrobiológica [online]. 2000, vol.10, n.1, pp.51-60. ISSN 0188-8897.

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

Palavras-chave : Urogenital system; kidney; gonads; anatomy; reproduction; flatfishes; Achiridae.