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Publication Details
AFRICAN RESEARCH NEXUS
SHINING A SPOTLIGHT ON AFRICAN RESEARCH
agricultural and biological sciences
Maturity, fecundity, and reproductive cycle of the spotted ratfish, Hydrolagus colliei
Marine Biology, Volume 156, No. 3, Year 2009
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Description
Size at maturity, fecundity, and reproductive periodicity were estimated for the spotted ratfish, Hydrolagus colliei (Lay and Bennett, 1839), off the coast of California, Oregon, and Washington. Maximum body size and size at median maturity were greater for females than males. Skeletal muscle concentrations of the steroid hormones testosterone (T) and estradiol (E 2) predicted similar, but slightly smaller sizes at maturity than the morphological criterion. Stage of maturity for males was estimated identically using internal organs or external secondary sexual characters, thus allowing non-lethal maturity assessments. Size at median maturity was greater north of Point Conception for females, and north of Cape Mendocino for males. Peak parturition occurred from May to October, with increased concentrations of E2 in skeletal muscle of females correlating with ovarian recrudescence during November to February. No significant seasonal trends in female T were apparent, but mean female 11-ketotestosterone (11KT) was 300% greater in April than any other month during the parturition season. There was a marginal evidence for increased number and size of ova with maternal size. Extrapolation of the hypothesized 6 to 8-month egg-laying season to observed mean parturition rates of captive specimens yielded an estimated annual fecundity of 19.5-28.9 egg cases. Differences in fecundity among higher taxonomic classifications of chondrichthyans were detected with chimaeriform fishes more fecund than lamniform, myliobatiform, squaliform, and rhinobatiform fishes, and less fecund than rajiform fishes. © 2008 Springer-Verlag.
Authors & Co-Authors
Earley, Ryan L.
United States, Tuscaloosa
The University of Alabama
Ebert, David A.
United States, Moss Landing
Moss Landing Marine Laboratories
Cailliet, Gregor M.
United States, Moss Landing
Moss Landing Marine Laboratories
Statistics
Citations: 42
Authors: 3
Affiliations: 3
Identifiers
Doi:
10.1007/s00227-008-1084-y
ISSN:
00253162
Research Areas
Maternal And Child Health
Sexual And Reproductive Health
Participants Gender
Female