Thalamic stimulation evokes sex-color change and gamete release in a vertebrate hermaphrodite

Sperm and egg release and sex-color patterns specific for the male and female phases of reproductive behavior were elicited by electrical stimulation in the thalamus of anesthetized sea bass. Thalamic switching of the sex-role specific motor activities in response to visual signals from the mate is considered an important feature regulating the complex mating activity of these simultaneous hermaphrodites.