First record of intersexuality in Porcellana platycheles (Pennant, 1777) (Decapoda: Anomura: Porcellanidae)

Abstract

This paper reports the first record of intersexuality from Porcellana platycheles, a member of the family Porcellanidae. Intersex individuals were identified by the presence of both pairs of genital openings on the coxae of the third and fifth pereiopods respectively, and by morphological characteristics of the abdomen and pleopods. The low occurrence of this condition suggests that intersexuality is due to genetic variations in the population rather than other possible causes of intersexuality previously reported in other decapods.