Physical disturbance induces heart stop in mangrove killifish, Kryptolebias marmoratus embryos

Rosalie Herbert; Alexander David Corbett; Tetsuhiro Kudoh

doi:10.1101/2025.02.03.636252

Summary

The mangrove killifish, Krypotlebias marmoratus, is an intriguing vertebrate species, known for its unusual sexual systems. It is one of two known self-fertilizing simultaneous hermaphroditic vertebrates, alongside the related Kryptolebias ocellatus^1,2. While individuals can be born as primary males, this is rare in the wild and most are born as hermaphrodites³, around 60% then turning into secondary males at 3-4 years of age⁴. K. marmoratus is exceptionally tolerant of harsh and variable environmental conditions. This includes emersion as well as widely ranging salinities and temperatures^5–7. Embryos can enter diapause, a state of arrested development, when conditions are unfavourable^8,9.

Competing Interest Statement

The authors have declared no competing interest.

Footnotes

Contact addresses: rh804{at}exeter.ac.uk, a.corbett{at}exeter.ac.uk
https://doi.org/10.24378/exe.5506

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