INVESTIGADORES
SOMOZA Gustavo Manuel
artículos
Título:
Aggregations and reproductive events of the narrownose smooth hound shark, Mustelus schmitti, in relation to temperature and depth in coastal waters of the southwestern Atlantic Ocean (38-42° S)
Autor/es:
MARIANO ELISIO; JORGE COLONELLO; FEDERICO CORTÉS; ANDRÉS J. JAUREGUIZAR; GUSTAVO M. SOMOZA; GUSTAVO J. MACCHI
Revista:
MARINE AND FRESHWATER RESEARCH
Editorial:
CSIRO PUBLISHING
Referencias:
Lugar: Collingwood; Año: 2017 vol. 68 p. 732 - 742
ISSN:
1323-1650
Resumen:
Knowledge of environmental influence on reproductive dynamics in chondrichthyans is critical for effective management. This study assessed the potential influences of temperature and depth on aggregations and reproductive events of the narrownose smooth-hound shark (Mustelus schmitti), using an analysis criterion based on the co-occurrence of different reproductive stages. Data were collected from 363 sample sites during six research surveys, covering an area of approximately 13,920 nm2 along the coast (38?42º S and depths < 50 m). M. schmitti adult aggregations were mostly associated with the warmer springs surveys, being the aggregation sites significantly warmer than those of non aggregation. Pupping and ovulation evidences were observed, almost simultaneously, during all spring surveys. However, the occurrence of these reproductive events showed a clear interannual variability pattern significantly explained by water temperature. Particularly, the ovulation occurrence was associated with temperatures above 16-17 °C. These results suggest that M. schmitti adults may follow the warming gradient along the environment and thus they aggregate in shallow and productive waters during the course of spring. Their reproductive events could be induced by temperature increase. This scenario suggests that changes in bottom temperature patterns may be important drivers of the reproductive dynamics of M. schmitti.