Female reproductive traits of a commercially exploited skate: Atlantoraja platana (Günther, 1880) (Chondrichthyes, Rajidae). Ovarian morphology, gametogenesis and microscopic verification of maturity criteria

MOYA, A.C.; WEHITT, A.; DÍAZ ANDRADE, M.C.; DI GIACOMO, E.E.; GALÍNDEZ, E.J.

MICRON

PERGAMON-ELSEVIER SCIENCE LTD

Año: 2017 vol. 101 p. 232 - 240

0968-4328

Atlantoraja platana is an endemic species of the Southwest Atlantic Ocean, and is one of the most captured by thelocal bottom trawl industrial fisheries. In this work, the microscopic architecture of mature female?s gonads andthe dynamics of follicle development are studied as a contribution to raise awareness of reproductive biologyof the species. Folliculogenesis depicts the same histologic pattern as in other Elasmobranchs. Follicles in differentdegrees of maturation coexist in mature animals. The oogonia were only found in immature individuals.Likewise, atretic follicles were recorded in ovaries of all sexual maturity stages. The microscopic size recordedfrom the beginning of yolk input is smallest than the detected with the necked eye. This study provides valuableinformation about female?s gametogenesis that could be taken into account in the development of fisheries management.