title: Reproductive parameters of the Pacific angel shark Squatina californica (Selachii: Squatinidae).
abstract: Reproductive characteristics of the Pacific angel shark, Squatina californica, were evaluated from 420 specimens obtained from the artisanal fishery in La Paz Bay, Gulf of California, Mexico. Females (99 cm, 6000 g) were larger than males (95 cm, 5000 g) in terms of both total length (L(T)) and body mass (M(T)). The overall sex ratio was significantly different from the expected 1:1, suggesting sexual segregation of mature individuals in La Paz Bay. Males had developed reproductive organs and calcified claspers from 72 cm L(T); the median size at maturity (LT50 ) was 75.6 cm. In females, only the left ovary was functional and mature ovarian follicles were present from 77 cm L(T); the estimated LT50 was 77.7 cm. For the 10 gravid females sampled, uterine fecundity was between two and 10 embryos. Mature, non-gravid females with small and large ovarian follicles appeared simultaneously with gravid females with follicles that did not exceed 1.9 cm diameter.
authors.affiliation: Departamento Central de Investigación, Universidad Laica Eloy Alfaro de Manabí, Ciudadela Universitaria vía San Mateo, 13052732, Manta, Manabí, Ecuador.
authors.forename: A F
authors.initials: AF
authors.lastname: Romero-Caicedo
authors.affiliation: Instituto Politécnico Nacional-CICIMAR, Avenida I.P.N. s/n, Colonia Playa Palo de Santa Rita, Apartado Postal 592, C.P. 23096, La Paz, Baja California Sur, Mexico.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Galván-Magaña
authors.affiliation: Instituto Politécnico Nacional-CICIMAR, Avenida I.P.N. s/n, Colonia Playa Palo de Santa Rita, Apartado Postal 592, C.P. 23096, La Paz, Baja California Sur, Mexico.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hernández-Herrera
authors.affiliation: Departamento Central de Investigación, Universidad Laica Eloy Alfaro de Manabí, Ciudadela Universitaria vía San Mateo, 13052732, Manta, Manabí, Ecuador.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Carrera-Fernández
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D049628:Body Size; D005260:Female; D005298:Fertility; D005398:Fisheries; D008297:Male; D008800:Mexico; D006080:Ovarian Follicle / Q000502:physiology; D010140:Pacific Ocean; D012098:Reproduction; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D012744:Sex Ratio; D012754:Sharks / Q000502:physiology*
keywords: oocytes; reproduction; segregation; sexual maturity