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Published (Version of record)CC BY V4.0, Open Access
Published (Version of record)CC BY V4.0, Open
Journal article
Reproductive biology and range extension for Mobula kuhlii cf. eregoodootenkee
Endangered Species Research, Vol.35, pp.71-80
19/02/2018
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Abstract
Mobulids have been poorly studied, but most are listed by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature as Near Threatened or of greater concern. Here we fill critical knowledge gaps surrounding reproduction for Mobula kuhlii cf. eregoodootenkee caught at 29°S—200 km south of their proposed range—off eastern Australia by bather-protection gillnets deployed for 6 mo from December 2016. M. kuhlii cf. eregoodootenkee was the second most abundant netted species (all adults: n = 63), with catches peaking in April. There was no sexual segregation, but females (disc width [DW]: 92.5 to 130.0 cm, mean ± SD 112.8 ± 7.8 cm) were significantly larger than males (99.0 to 123.0 cm, 109.4 ± 6.3 cm). Of those caught, 45 died (71% mortality), of which 20 females and 11 males were assessed for reproduction. Nine females were pre-ovulatory and non-gravid with 7 to 23 oocytes in their left ovary, while 11 had 14 to 40 ovarian oocytes and 1 embryo (DW: 7.0 to 21.2 cm) in their left uterus. The diameter of the largest ovarian follicle in gravid females was not correlated with embryo size, indicating ovulation may not occur immediately after parturition. The development of the largest embryo (DW: 21 cm) suggests parturition occurs well above this size. Males had calcified claspers and exhibited large variation in their testes weights, which might imply seasonal fluctuation in sperm production. In addition to extending the distribution of the species and increasing maximum DW to 130 cm, the data provide further evidence of the low reproductive output of M. kuhlii cf. eregoodootenkee, and a need for their effective management.
Details
- Title
- Reproductive biology and range extension for Mobula kuhlii cf. eregoodootenkee
- Creators
- Matt K Broadhurst - NSW Department of Primary IndustriesBetty J L Laglbauer - Universidade dos AçoresKatherine B Burgess - University of QueenslandMelinda A Coleman - NSW Department of Primary Industries
- Publication Details
- Endangered Species Research, Vol.35, pp.71-80
- Publisher
- Inter-Research
- Grant note
- This study was funded by the NSW Department of Primary Industries and had animal ethics approval (NSW DPI ACEC ref. no. 08–06).
- Identifiers
- 991012927080502368
- Copyright
- © The authors 2018. Open Access under Creative Commons by Attribution Licence. Use, distribution and reproduction are unrestricted. Authors and original publication must be credited.
- Academic Unit
- Science; National Marine Science Centre; Faculty of Science and Engineering
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article