Identification and Location of Testes in the Invasive Channa argus Cantor (Northern Snakehead)

摘要

Channa argus (Northern Snakehead) has been established in the Potomac River since at least 2004. Although ovaries of females have previously been discovered, to date, no testes had been confirmed in males from the Potomac River or any other North American waterbody. Dissection of individual Northern Snakeheads and subsequent histology confirmed discovery of testes in males taken from Quantico Creek, VA. Our discussion includes implications of this finding and methods for properly dissecting males to find testes.