Original scientific paper

https://doi.org/10.32582/aa.60.1.6

Morphometric measurements of newborn blue shark Prionace glauca (Linnaeus, 1758) and characteristics of its potential parturition areas in coastal waters of Montenegro (Southeastern Adriatic)

Ilija Ćetković ; Institute of Marine Biology, 85330 Kotor, Montenegro
Ana Pešić orcid.org/0000-0002-8669-6744 ; Institute of Marine Biology, 85330 Kotor, Montenegro
Aleksandar Joksimović ; Institute of Marine Biology, University of Montenegro, Dobrota bb, 85330 Kotor, Montenegro
Jovana Tomanić ; Institute of Marine Biology, University of Montenegro, Dobrota bb, 85330 Kotor, Montenegro
Stefan Ralević ; Montenegrin Ecologists Society, Bulevar Sv. Petra Cetinjskog 73, 81000 Podgorica, Montenegro

Abstract

The blue shark belongs to the group of the most widespread pelagic sharks in the world. It inhabits the pelagic zone of almost all warm and temperate seas and oceans. As it is one of the most abundant shark species, it is frequently caught in different types of fishing gear operated in the pelagic zone. This study provides the first data on the reproduction of this species in Montenegrin waters (in the Southeastern Adriatic Sea). Six newborn blue sharks were found during our field excursions. For three of them, detailed morphometric measurements are presented. Alongside the newborns, a gravid female was also recorded. The data was collected in the period from April to October 2017. According to the published literature and the data presented in this paper, species reproduction is likely to be seasonal. A review of the areas where the specimens were recorded was carried out in order to infer if the adult females choose them specifically as their parturition grounds.

Keywords

Blue shark; Prionace glauca; Adriatic Sea; reproduction; morphometry

Hrčak ID:

223120

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/223120

Publication date:

15.7.2019.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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