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Sexual development and maturity scale for the angel shark Squatina squatina (Elasmobranchii: Squatinidae), with comments on the adequacy of general maturity scales

2015; Inter-Research; Volume: 1; Issue: 2 Linguagem: Inglês

10.3354/sedao00012

2195-2744

Filip Osaer, Krupskaya Narváez, José G. Pajuelo, JM Lorenzo,

Fish biology, ecology, and behavior

SEDAO Sexuality and Early Development in Aquatic Organisms Contact the journal Subscribe to our mailing list via Mailchimp HomeLatest VolumeAbout the JournalEditorsTheme Sections SEDAO 1:117-132 (2015) - DOI: https://doi.org/10.3354/sedao00012 Sexual development and maturity scale for the angel shark Squatina squatina (Elasmobranchii: Squatinidae), with comments on the adequacy of general maturity scales Filip Osaer1,2,3,*, Krupskaya Narváez1,2,3, José G. Pajuelo2, José M. Lorenzo2 1ELASMOCAN, Asociación Canaria para la Investigación y Conservación de los Elasmobranquios, 35001 Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain 2Departamento de Biología, Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Edificio de Ciencias Básicas, Campus de Tafira, 35017 Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain 3Fundación Colombiana para la Investigación y Conservación de Tiburones y Rayas, SQUALUS, Carrera 60A No 11-39, Cali, Colombia *Corresponding author: filip@elasmocan.org ABSTRACT: This paper contributes to the reproductive biology of the genus Squatina and aims to complement the criteria, uniformity and adaptable staging of sexual maturity scales for elasmobranchs based on data from the angel shark S. squatina captured near the island of Gran Canaria (Canary Islands, Central-East Atlantic). Both sexes presented a paired reproductive tract with both sides active and asymmetric gonad development. Microscopic and macroscopic observations of the testes were consistent and indicated seasonality of spermatogenesis. The spermatocyst development pattern in mature individuals could not be assigned to any of the categories described in the literature. The ovaries-epigonal organ association was of the external type. Although all Squatinidae share a conservative morphology, they show differences across species in the functionality of the paired reproductive tract, seasonality of spermatogenesis, coiled spermatozoa and the presence of egg candles. A flexible classification technique was used to describe an illustrated 5-stage sexual maturity scale using an ontogenic approach, assessable by macroscopic condition indices. The phases include juvenile, subadult, developing, active/pregnant and spent/post-partum in males and females, respectively. Claspers were considered calcified when it was necessary to break a clasper when bending the axial cartilage 180° over its longitudinal axis. Recent general maturity scale proposals for elasmobranchs could not be adapted. The interspecific variations in fish development, which do not facilitate a standard terminology across all fishes, indicate the need for species-specific and adaptable macroscopic and microscopic staging schema, rather than using generalized classification systems. KEY WORDS: Reproductive biology · Elasmobranch · Macroscopic analysis · Histology · Viviparous · Lecithotrophy · Seasonality · Canary Islands Full text in pdf format PreviousNextCite this article as: Osaer F, Narváez K, Pajuelo JG, Lorenzo JM (2015) Sexual development and maturity scale for the angel shark Squatina squatina (Elasmobranchii: Squatinidae), with comments on the adequacy of general maturity scales. Sex Early Dev Aquat Org 1:117-132. https://doi.org/10.3354/sedao00012 Export citation RSS - Facebook - Tweet - linkedIn Cited by Published in SEDAO Vol. 1, No. 2. Online publication date: June 11, 2015 Print ISSN: 2195-2736; Online ISSN: 2195-2744 Copyright © 2015 Inter-Research.