Seasonal variation in fecundity,egg case viability,gestation, and neonate size for little skates, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Leucoraja erinacea</Emphasis>, in the Gulf of Maine |
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Authors: | Brittany D Palm David M Koester III" target="_blank">William B DriggersIII James A Sulikowski |
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Institution: | (1) Marine Science Center, University of New England, Biddeford, ME 04005, USA;(2) Department of Anatomy, College of Osteopathic Medicine, University of New England, Biddeford, ME 04005, USA;(3) National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Marine Fisheries Service, Southeast Fisheries Science Center, Mississippi Laboratories, P.O. Drawer 1207, Pascagoula, MS 39568, USA |
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Abstract: | Landings of the little skate, Leucoraja erinacea, within the territorial waters of the United States are currently regulated by a federal fishery management plan (FMP). For
a FMP to be effective, thorough knowledge of a species’ reproductive biology is essential. Currently, little information exists
on annual fecundity, egg case viability, gestation length, and neonate total length, for the little skate in the Gulf of Maine.
To study these reproductive parameters, mature skates and egg cases were housed in fiberglass tanks with an open seawater
system that provided natural, seasonal fluctuations in water temperature. Egg case deposition was highest during summer months
with a seasonal peak in June. Of the 324 egg cases laid by seven females (c. 46 eggs per year, per female), 74.1% were viable. Gestation lengths ranged from 22 to 54 weeks throughout the four seasons.
Egg cases laid in the fall had the longest gestation times (44.9 weeks, ± 0.13 weeks) and those laid in the spring had the
shortest gestation times (24.5 weeks, ± 0.21 weeks). Total lengths of neonates from spring oviposition were statistically
the longest (10.74 ± 0.05 cm) when compared to neonates from other seasons; however, egg viability was statistically the lowest
for spring when compared seasonally. |
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