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Email the author (Login required) Occurrence of an Isurus oxyrinchus pregnant female to the northwest of Cuba
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3856/vol44-issue1-fulltext-21
Abstract
Isurus oxyrinchus is a species mostly caught on pelagic longline fisheries. In this study, the occurrence of I. oxyrinchus pregnant female caught to northwest of Cuba is reported; we describe for the first time the development stage of the embryos for this region and compare its development phase with previous surveys carried out in other regions. The adult specimen measured 365 cm TL and had 12 embryos. Regarding the whole litter only a male of 39.3 cm (TL) and a female of 39.2 cm (TL) could be examined. The most evident feature about the embryos was the development of a big abdomen full of small follicles with yolk, corresponding to the oophagic phase. This provides enough energy for their growth and development during the gestation period. This current paper is the first record about second phase or half-term litter of embryonic development for I. oxyrinchus in Cuban waters and it complements the information concerning the knowledge of the reproductive biology of this species.
