Reproductive biology of Atlantoraja cyclophora (Regan 1903) (Elasmobranchii: Rajidae) off southern Brazil

• Published in: ICES journal of marine science Vol. 62; no. 6; pp. 1095 - 1103
• Main Authors: Oddone, María Cristina, Vooren, Carolus Maria
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford University Press 01-09-2005
• Subjects: Atlantoraja; Atlantoraja cyclophora; egg-bearing; egg-deposition; Elasmobranchii; length at sexual maturity; Marine; Rajidae; reproduction; SW Atlantic; ASW, Brazil, Rio Grande do Sul; length at sexual maturity; SW Atlantic; egg-bearing; egg-deposition; reproduction
• ISSN: 1054-3139; 1095-9289
• DOI: 10.1016/j.icesjms.2005.05.002

A total of 459 (245 females, 214 males) Atlantoraja cyclophora was captured by bottom trawl off the coast of Rio Grande do Sul between 30°40′S and 34°30′S during surveys conducted in winter 2001 and summer/autumn 2002 at depths of 100–300 m. Total length at maturity was 52.8 cm for females and 48.5 cm for males. Symmetry and functional parity of the gonads were observed in both sexes, but there was no significant temporal variation in either sex for any of the reproductive parameters studied. Ovulation and egg-deposition were similarly intensive in both seasons. In adult females, there was an ovarian resting period at an individual level, though it was not synchronized at a population level. Distribution of egg-bearing females was not related to depth or species' range.