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Perccottus glenii Dybowski, 1877

8. Sexual dimorphism

      In the breeding period males have pronounce external morphological differences from females. They are of intensive black colour with a large "inflation" of skin on the upper part of the head (Tsepkin, 1977; our observations). On the sides of the body there are distinct irregularly arranged bright bluish-green spots. Spots of the same colour, but arranged in even horizontal rows are present on dorsal and anal fins. Strong "inflation" on the head is reminiscent of "fatty pad" of males of some species of the family Cichlidae. It began beneath the skin from the interorbital space and stretching over to the back terminates near the first dorsal fin. When the male stops guarding the egg clutch its colour fades, and the inflation on the head disappears, its head gradually acquires its normal shape, and the body greenish grey colour (somewhat darker than in females).

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© N.G.Bogutskaya, A.M.Naseka, 2002
© Zoological Institute RAS, 2002