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Observations on the reproductive biology of three catsharks (Carcharhiniformes: Scyliorhinidae: Asymbolus and Figaro) from the continental shelf of southern Queensland, Australia

Kyne, Peter M., Courtney, Anthony J. and Bennett, Michael B. (2011). Observations on the reproductive biology of three catsharks (Carcharhiniformes: Scyliorhinidae: Asymbolus and Figaro) from the continental shelf of southern Queensland, Australia. Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom,91(6):1157-1164.

Document type: Journal Article

IRMA ID 82057923xPUB49
Title Observations on the reproductive biology of three catsharks (Carcharhiniformes: Scyliorhinidae: Asymbolus and Figaro) from the continental shelf of southern Queensland, Australia
Author Kyne, Peter M.
Courtney, Anthony J.
Bennett, Michael B.
Journal Name Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom
Publication Date 2011
Volume Number 91
Issue Number 6
ISSN 0025-3154   (check CDU catalogue open catalogue search in new window)
Scopus ID 2-s2.0-84857500160
Start Page 1157
End Page 1164
Total Pages 8
Place of Publication Cambridge
Publisher Cambridge University Press
HERDC Category C1 - Journal Article (DIISR)
Abstract Three species of Australian endemic catsharks (grey spotted catshark Asymbolus analis, orange spotted catshark A. rubiginosus and Australian sawtail shark Figaro boardmani) were collected from the trawl grounds of a highly seasonal commercial fishery off southern Queensland, Australia. Specimens were collected on the mid to outer continental shelf at depths between 78 and 168 m. This study provides the first information on the reproductive biology of these three poorly-known species. Mature female and male A. analis were observed from 455 mm total length (TL), mature female A. rubiginosus from 410 mm TL, mature male A. rubiginosus from 405 mm TL, mature female F. boardmani from 402 mm TL and mature male F. boardmani from 398 mm TL (although a lack of immature specimens precluded more accurate assessments of size at maturity). The reproductive mode of all species was confirmed as single oviparous (carrying only one egg case in each uterus at a time). Ovarian fecundity (the number of vitellogenic follicles) ranged from 7-20 in A. analis, 5-23 in A. rubiginosus and 9-13 in F. boardmani. Several indicators suggest that Asymbolus catsharks off southern Queensland are reproductively active year-round. The proportion of female A. rubiginosus carrying egg cases was highest in spring (60%), intermediate in autumn (50%) and lowest in winter (44%).
Keywords Asymbolus analis
Asymbolus rubiginosus
East Coast Trawl Fishery
Figaro boardmani
Queensland
reproductive seasonality
Scyliorhinidae
size at maturity
DOI http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S0025315410001670   (check subscription with CDU E-Gateway service for CDU Staff and Students  check subscription with CDU E-Gateway in new window)
 
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