Reproductive biology in support of conservation: First description of some reproductive stages of the Chilean angelshark Squatina armata (Phillipi, 1987)

Peña-Cutimbo N.; Cañedo-Apolaya R.M.; Cordero-Maldonado C.; Custodio-Uribe A.; Mangel J.; Polanco-Vásquez F.; Alfaro-Shigueto J. · South sustainability (2024) · DOI: 10.21142/ss-0502-2024-e103

Resumen

In the Eastern Pacific Ocean (EPO), the presence has been described of the Chilean angelshark (Squatina armata), a species that has been subject to heavy fishing pressure in the region. However, little is known about the biology of this species, and it is listed currently as "Critically Endangered", according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). The aim of this study was to describe the reproductive stages of specimens of S. armata collected through small-scale fishing activities. We collected 74 (females = 43, males = 31) specimens landed at the port of San Jose, Lambayeque. The complete reproductive systems were extracted, in order to subsequently determine the stage, adapted to the maturity scale proposed by Osaer et al. (2015) for the angelshark Squatina squatina. In addition, a photographic record was made, through which three of five female and male reproductive stages were obtained. This is one of the first studies of elasmobranch reproductive biology in Peru and the first to describe the reproductive stages of S. armata in the EPO. These results will contribute to the scientific knowledge for the region of this important but vulnerable species. It will also help to lay the groundwork for future research on the reproductive biology of sharks in Peru and contribute to their conservation. © Los autores, 2024.

Instituciones: Universidad Científica del Sur