Reproductive endocrinology in elasmobranchs: basic and applied science

AWRUCH C. A.; WALTRICK, D.

Congreso; 11th International Conference on the Biology of Fish; 2014

The evolutionary success of Elasmobranchs is greatly attributed to theirwide range of reproductive strategies controlled by different endocrinemechanics. The diversity of reproductive strategies display by Elasmobranchsmakes it difficult to generalise the control of gametogenesis andsteroidogenesis. Novel information on the endocrine mechanisms controllingembryonic diapause, a temporary ceasing or retardation of development at anystage of embryogenesis, on the Australian sharpnoseshark Rhizoprionodon taylori will be presented. In addition, the use ofreproductive endocrinology as a non-lethal technique for management of Elasmobranchpopulations is becoming more popular, however up to date previous studies havelinked reproductive hormones with external examination of the gonads from deadanimals to validate the technique. Reproductive hormone levels were used as theonly method to address reproduction on the seven gill shark Notorynchuscepedianus, which has significant potential to be used as a model in thosecases where validation is not possible, e.g. threatened or endangered species,or species habiting marine protected areas.