Gonad Bulu Babi

THE GONADS OF SEA URCHINS. Knowledge of the gonad of sea urchin is not only important information on their life-history, but also an important part of the basic information on their fishery. The gonad of sea urchin consist of five lobi which are heaped up radially. They are suspended by folds of perivisceral epithelium from the interambulacral plates in the apical half of body cavity. Each of the lobus possesses a single gonoduct which open to the exterior through an aperature in the genital plates. Six stages of gametogenesis were categorized based on the predominating cell type within a follicle combined with the superficial appearance of the gonad. Usually, there is no sexual external dimorphisms among sea urchin. But, in few cases, the genital papillae of the two sexes can be differenciated. There are two types of the genital papillae sexual dimorphisms ie. Mespilia and Tripneustes type. Hermaphroditism is rare in these animals, but it can be found in certain species i.e. Strongylocentrotus franciscanus. Roe is common name of the sea urchin gonad which is harvested as fishery product. Gonad in advanced stage of gametogenesis is not excepted due to its soft texture. It's condition occurs shortly after post spawning recovery.