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Contrasting life-history traits of two sympatric smooth-hound species: implication for vulnerability |
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| Authors: | Emilio Riginella Vittoria Correale Ilaria A M Marino Maria B Rasotto Anamarija Vrbatovic Lorenzo Zane Carlotta Mazzoldi |
| Institution: | 1. Department of Biology, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
Department of Integrative Marine Ecology, Zoological Station Anton Dohrn, Napoli, Italy;2. Department of Biology, University of Padova, Padova, Italy;3. Department of Biology, University of Padova, Padova, Italy CoNISMa (Interuniversity Consortium of Marine Sciences), Rome, Italy |
| Abstract: | In this study, life-history traits (maximum and average size, size at maturity and fecundity) of two congeneric smooth-hounds, Mustelus mustelus and Mustelus punctulatus, which share a geographical distribution and experience a similar fishing exploitation, were estimated and compared between species. The results indicated a lower maximum and average size, a lower size at maturity and a higher fecundity in M. punctulatus compared with those in M. mustelus. Considering that these two species co-occur in the same areas and are caught by the same fishing gears, the results indicate a higher vulnerability to exploitation of M. mustelus compared with that of M. punctulatus. |
| Keywords: | Adriatic Sea life history Mustelus mustelus Mustelus punctulatus shark vulnerability |