Preliminary report on the relationship between total length and sexual development in Psammobatis extenta (Garman, 1913) females

Abstract

Objectives: To present preliminary data on the sexual development of Psammobatis extenta females (Garman, 1913) proceeding from the fishing fleet harbored in the Fishing Terminal in Santos, São Paulo, Brazil, correlating anatomical and morphometric observations lo the degree of sexual development of the specimens studied. Material al/d Method: Preliminary studies on the sexual development of these animals were conducted in 139females discarded by fishermen for lack of commercial value. The sampling included specimens from the coastal areas of São Paulo, Paraná and Santa Catarina, Brazil. Samples were morphometrically analyzed and dissected for study of the reproductive system. Results: The Psammobatis extenta reproductive system consists of paired organs, such as ovaries, oviducts, and nidamentary glands, and a cloaca. Two different types of ovaries were identified: one with small whitish oocytes, considered immature, and one with large yellowish oocytes, considered mature. Maximum vitelogenic activity was present in 29,4 % of the samples studied. Conclusions: Sexual maturity is related lo the size of the Psammobatis extenta females, but other' anatomical, morphological and ecological information should be considered in future studies on such animals, particularly on their reproductive system, in order lo clarify the level of correlation between these two factors.