The anal fin complex in a weakly discharging electric fish,Gnathonemus petersii(Mormyridae).

An examination of the permanent bony structures of the anal fin complex in the mormyrid fish,Gnathonemus petersii, revealed two new structural sexual dimorphisms: longer proximal pterygiophores and wider anal fin rays in males than in females. Both structures are thought to facilitate the male’s courtship-associated anal fin reflex. Adult male mormyrid fishes are characterized by a dorsally directed indentation of the posterior body wall(anal fin indentation). The expression of this indentation in males, presumably driven by anal fin musculature, was correlated with the fish’s gonadal state: large indentations were associated with high gonado-somatic indices and small indentations with low indices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]