title: The western mosquitofish (Gambusia affinis affinis): a new laboratory animal resource for the study of sexual dimorphism in neural circuits.
abstract: The western mosquitofish (Gambusia affinis affinis) is a useful model for the study of sexual dimorphism and the neural circuits associated with sexual differentiation. This is largely because of its anal fin, which undergoes radical postnatal transformation in males. Understanding the neural mechanisms involved in this process may also help elucidate basic principles of the nervous system. The authors describe the mosquitofish as a model for research and present guidelines for the care and use of this species.
authors.affiliation: Animal Resources Facility, University of Puerto Rico-Rió Piedras, San Juan, Puerto Rico 00931-1809, USA.
authors.forename: Luis
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Rosario-Ortiz
authors.forename: Stephanie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rivera-Pabon
authors.forename: Irma
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Torres-Vázquez
authors.forename: Eduardo G
authors.initials: EG
authors.lastname: Ortiz-Perez
authors.forename: Luzed
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Diaz-Perez
authors.forename: Loren
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Pesquera-Diaz
authors.forename: Nydia L
authors.initials: NL
authors.lastname: Rivera-Rivera
authors.forename: Elymic
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Colon-Garcia
authors.forename: Jose L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Serrano-Vélez
authors.forename: Eduardo
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Rosa-Molinar
mesh_terms: D000822:Animal Husbandry / Q000379:methods; D000818:Animals; D003532:Cyprinodontiformes / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D007756:Laboratory Animal Science / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D023421:Models, Animal; D009046:Motor Neurons / Q000648:ultrastructure; D009434:Neural Pathways / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000502:physiology; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000166:cytology; D013569:Synapses / Q000648:ultrastructure