title: Reproductive parameters of rhinobatid and urolophid batoids taken as by-catch in the Queensland (Australia) east coast otter-trawl fishery.
abstract: Reproductive variables are provided for batoids regularly taken as by-catch in the east coast otter-trawl fishery on the inner-mid continental shelf off the south-east and central coasts of Queensland, Australia. Total length at maturity (LT50 and 95% c.i.) for the eastern shovelnose ray Aptychotrema rostrata was 639·5 mm (617·6-663·4 mm) for females and 597·3 mm (551·4-648·6 mm) for males. Litter size (n = 9) ranged from nine to 20 (mean ± s.e. = 15·1 ± 1·2). This species exhibited a positive litter size-maternal size relationship. Disc width at maturity (WD50 and 95% c.i.) for the common stingaree Trygonoptera testacea was 162·7 mm (155·8-168·5 mm) for females and 145·9 mm (140·2-150·2 mm) for males. Gravid T. testacea (n = 6) each carried a single egg in the one functional (left) uterus. Disc width at maturity (WD50 and 95% c.i.) for the Kapala stingaree Urolophus kapalensis was 153·7 mm (145·1-160·4 mm) for females and 155·2 mm (149·1-159·1 mm) for males. Gravid U. kapalensis (n = 16) each carried a single egg or embryo in the one functional (left) uterus. A single female yellowback stingaree Urolophus sufflavus carried an embryo in each uterus. A global review of the litter sizes of shovelnose rays (Rhinobatidae) and stingarees (Urolophidae) is provided.
authors.affiliation: School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, 4072, QLD, Australia.
authors.forename: P M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Kyne
authors.affiliation: Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, Ecosciences Precinct, Brisbane, 4001, QLD, Australia.
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Courtney
authors.affiliation: School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, 4072, QLD, Australia.
authors.forename: I P
authors.initials: IP
authors.lastname: Jacobsen
authors.affiliation: School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, 4072, QLD, Australia.
authors.forename: M B
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Bennett
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D049628:Body Size; D005260:Female; D005398:Fisheries; D008098:Litter Size; D008297:Male; D011793:Queensland; D012098:Reproduction / Q000502:physiology*; D012741:Sexual Maturation / Q000502:physiology; D012860:Skates, Fish / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology*
keywords: Aptychotrema rostrata; Trygonoptera testacea; Urolophus kapalensis; Urolophus sufflavus; litter size