Morfological indicators of initial reproductive commitment in Mustelus schmitti (Chondrichthyes, Triakidae): folliculogenesis and ovarian structure along the life cycle

25. GALÍNDEZ, EJ; DÍAZ ANDRADE, MC AND ESTECONDO, S.

BRAZILIAN JOURNAL OF BIOLOGY

INT INST ECOLOGY

Lugar: Sao Carlos; Año: 2014 vol. 74 p. 154 - 163

1519-6984

This work provides information about the sexual commitment and the folliculogenesis of the gatuzo, Mustelus schmitti. A total of 112 females of all maturity stages were fished in the Bahía Blanca estuary, between 2009 and 2010. The oogonia were present all along the life cycle of the animals. The folliculogenesis follows a pattern similar to other elasmobranchs. The granulosa layer keeps monolayered throughout the folliculogenesis, but with two cell types in the vitellogenic follicle. The zona pellucida forms in the primordial follicles. The thecal system shows a connective inner layer and a glandular outer sheath. The microscopic beginning of the sexual commitment, indicated by the vitello hoarding, takes place in follicles from 500 micrometers, while the macroscopic evidence appears in follicles of 2500-3000 micrometers. The results presented in this study suggest that the fishery pressure may affect a susceptible range of sizes of the species, not previously considered and provides a biological framework for the development of fisheries police.