Reproduction of the blue-spotted maskray Neotrygon kuhlii (Myliobatoidei: Dasyatidae) in south-east Queensland, Australia |
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Authors: | S. J. Pierce,&dagger ,S. A. Pardo,&dagger M. B. Bennett,&dagger |
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Affiliation: | School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia QLD 4072, Australia |
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Abstract: | This study examined the reproduction and population structure of the blue-spotted maskray Neotrygon kuhlii within Moreton Bay, a subtropical embayment in south-east Queensland, Australia. Mean sizes at maturity were 314 mm disc width ( W D) in females ( n = 140, 115–465 mm W D) and 294 mm W D in males ( n = 123, 129–381 mm W D). Female N. kuhlii had a synchronous annual reproductive cycle, with one litter of one to three pups (mean ± s.d . 1·67 ± 0·71) produced per year. Mating behaviours were observed in October and November, and ovulation occurred early in the Austral summer, overlapping with the start of embryonic development. Gestation took c. 4 months with parturition occurring in late February and March. Size at birth was 115–170 mm W D. The population showed a significant female bias, particularly in larger size classes. Tagging studies produced a total recapture rate of 16·1% and indicated that N. kuhlii were site resident for up to 1081 days. |
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Keywords: | Chondrichthyes Dasyatis sexual segregation stingray tag–recapture |
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