Reproductive parameters of rhinobatid and urolophid batoids taken as by-catch in the Queensland (Australia) east coast otter-trawl fishery

• Published in: Journal of fish biology 2016-08, Vol.89 (2), p.1208-1226
• Main Authors: Kyne, P. M., Courtney, A. J., Jacobsen, I. P., Bennett, M. B.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; Aptychotrema rostrata; Body Size; Female; Fisheries; Litter Size; Male; Queensland; Reproduction - physiology; Sexual Maturation - physiology; Skates (Fish) - anatomy & histology; Skates (Fish) - physiology; Trygonoptera testacea; Urolophus kapalensis; Urolophus sufflavus
• ISSN: 0022-1112; 1095-8649
• DOI: 10.1111/jfb.13020

Reproductive variables are provided for batoids regularly taken as by‐catch in the east coast otter‐trawl fishery on the inner‐mid continental shelf off the south‐east and central coasts of Queensland, Australia. Total length at maturity (LT50 and 95% c.i.) for the eastern shovelnose ray Aptychotrema rostrata was 639·5 mm (617·6–663·4 mm) for females and 597·3 mm (551·4–648·6 mm) for males. Litter size (n = 9) ranged from nine to 20 (mean ± s.e. = 15·1 ± 1·2). This species exhibited a positive litter size–maternal size relationship. Disc width at maturity (WD50 and 95% c.i.) for the common stingaree Trygonoptera testacea was 162·7 mm (155·8–168·5 mm) for females and 145·9 mm (140·2–150·2 mm) for males. Gravid T. testacea (n = 6) each carried a single egg in the one functional (left) uterus. Disc width at maturity (WD50 and 95% c.i.) for the Kapala stingaree Urolophus kapalensis was 153·7 mm (145·1–160·4 mm) for females and 155·2 mm (149·1–159·1 mm) for males. Gravid U. kapalensis (n = 16) each carried a single egg or embryo in the one functional (left) uterus. A single female yellowback stingaree Urolophus sufflavus carried an embryo in each uterus. A global review of the litter sizes of shovelnose rays (Rhinobatidae) and stingarees (Urolophidae) is provided.