Sex reversal in a wild population of Talpa occidentalis (Insectivora, mammalia)

Abstract

SummaryTwo sex-reversed males and eight intersexes have been found in a natural population of the mole species Talpa occidentalis. All individuals of karyotype 34,XY were normal males, while the 34,XX karyotype was found in normal females, intersexes and sex-reversed males. Small testes were present in XX males, and ovotestes in intersexes. Intersexes showed male antigen levels higher than for females and lower than for males (including XX males), as judged by cytotoxicity tests. The X chromosome of sex-reversed males and intersexes and the Y chromosome of males appeared morphologically normal.