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Reproduction, abundance and feeding habits of the broadnose sevengill shark Notorynchus cepedianus in north Patagonia, Argentina

2005; Inter-Research; Volume: 289; Linguagem: Inglês

10.3354/meps289237

1616-1599

Luis O. Lucifora, R.C Menni, AH Escalante,

Fish Biology and Ecology Studies

MEPS Marine Ecology Progress Series Contact the journal Facebook Twitter RSS Mailing List Subscribe to our mailing list via Mailchimp HomeLatest VolumeAbout the JournalEditorsTheme Sections MEPS 289:237-244 (2005) - doi:10.3354/meps289237 Reproduction, abundance and feeding habits of the broadnose sevengill shark Notorynchus cepedianus in north Patagonia, Argentina Luis O. Lucifora1,*, Roberto C. Menni2,4, Alicia H. Escalante3,4 1Department of Biology, Life Sciences Centre, Dalhousie University, 1355 Oxford Street, Halifax, Nova Scotia B3H 4J1, Canada2Departamento Científico de Zoología de Vertebrados, Museo de La Plata, Paseo del Bosque s/n, La Plata 1900, Argentina3Departamento de Biología, Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata, Funes 3250, Segundo Piso, Mar del Plata 7600, Argentina4Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Argentina *Email: luis.lucifora@dal.ca ABSTRACT: Broadnose sevengill sharks Notorynchus cepedianus caught in a recreational fishery during a 3 yr period in Anegada Bay, Argentina were examined. Monthly variations in abundance were found, with the highest mean abundance in April. Neonates and juveniles were common in the study area, indicating that Anegada Bay is a nursery area of N. cepedianus. Male and female sizes at maturity were 170 and 224 cm total length (TL), respectively, similar to other studied regions. Liver size was sexually dimorphic, with adult females having larger livers, which might allow for the maximization of oocyte size/number. Individuals 170 cm fed mostly on cartilaginous fishes and marine mammals. All size groups preyed on marine mammals, which may be a result of the local availability of small calves of La Plata River dolphins Pontoporia blainvillei. Possibly, the pattern of habitat use of Anegada Bay by P. blainvillei is affected by N. cepedianus. The proportion of individuals with prey within the stomach was negatively correlated with TL. As indicated by prey remains found within stomachs (most were in pieces) and by the location of the fishing hook in sharks (most were hooked in the mouth), N. cepedianus extensively handles its prey with the mouth before swallowing it, which is consistent with previous observations. Anegada Bay may be an important area for conservation of N. cepedianus in the SW Atlantic given the high abundance of juveniles and subadults. KEY WORDS: Elasmobranch · Maturity · Nursery · Predation · Marine mammals Full text in pdf format PreviousNextExport citation RSS - Facebook - Tweet - linkedIn Cited by Published in MEPS Vol. 289. Online publication date: March 30, 2005 Print ISSN: 0171-8630; Online ISSN: 1616-1599 Copyright © 2005 Inter-Research.