Original scientific paper
https://doi.org/10.20302/NC.2021.30.31
Life history traits of the Blackspotted smooth-hound Mustelus punctulatus (Carcharhiniformes: Triakidae) in the Adriatic Sea
Romana Gračan
; Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Zagreb, Rooseveltov trg 6, HR-10000 Zagreb, Croatia
Tanja Polak
; Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Zagreb, Rooseveltov trg 6, HR-10000 Zagreb, Croatia
Bojan Lazar
; Department of Biodiversity, Faculty of Mathematics, Natural Sciences and Information Technologies, University of Primorska, Glagoljaška 8, SI-6000 Koper, Slovenia; Marine Science Program, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Juraj Dobrila University of Pula, Zagrebačka 30, HR-52100 Pula, Croatia
Abstract
We present demographic and reproductive parameters of commercially exploited shark, blackspotted smooth-hound (Mustelus punctulatus), based on samples from 117 males and 108 females from the Adriatic Sea. Calculated size and age at maturity were 83.1 cm in total length (TL) and 6.6 years for males and 100.0 cm TL and 12.5 years for females. The oldest observed male and female were 14 and 19 years old, respectively. The Gompertz growth model provided the best fit and predicted a theoretical maximum size (L∞) of 129.3 cm TL and a growth coefficient (k) of 0.15 year–1 for males, and L∞ = 141.1 cm TL and k = 0.13 year–1 for females. Obtained life history traits classify smooth-hound as slow-growing species, extremely sensitive to fishing, and highlight the need for the development of management strategy for this vulnerable species.
Keywords
age; growth models; reproduction; elasmobranchs; conservation; Mediterranean
Hrčak ID:
269568
URI
Publication date:
31.12.2021.
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