The biology of Mustelus schmitti in southern Patagonia, Argentina |
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| Authors: | G E Chiaramonte A D Pettovello |
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| Institution: | División Ictiología y Estación Hidrobiológica de Puerto Quequén, Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales 'Bernardino Rivadavia', Av. Angel Gallardo 470, 1405 Buenos Aires, Argentina;Centro de Investigaciones de Puerto Deseado, Alte. Brown y Colón, 9050 Puerto Deseado, Argentina |
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| Abstract: | The relationship of body weight and total length (LT) of Mustelus schmitti in southern Patagonia was different between sexes. Changes in maturity stages in males appear at larger sizes in Ría Deseado specimens than in the Mar del Plata area. Mature females ranged from 795 to 913 mm while all male specimens >759 mm LT were mature. The data suggest that mating occurs before parturition, with simultaneous ovulation. The diet of adult M. schmitti was mainly carcinophage and the diet of young-of-the-year and adults differed. The young-of-the-year use the Ría Deseado as a pupping area. |
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| Keywords: | pupping area reproduction stocks feeding South-west Atlantic |
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