Abstract

BURGOS-VAZQUEZ, María Itzigueri et al. Contrasting the reproductive potential of Narcine entemedor and Rhinoptera steindachneri: 2 viviparous batoid species with different reproductive strategies. Cienc. mar [online]. 2023, vol.49, e3303.  Epub Dec 08, 2023. ISSN 0185-3880.  https://doi.org/10.7773/cm.y2023.3303.

Narcine entemedorandRhinoptera steindachneriare 2 viviparous batoid species of commercial importance on the Pacific coast of Mexico. However, no adequate management plan has been set forth for either of them to ensure sustainable use. The aims of this study were to assess the reproductive potential and the potential rate of population increase (rʹ) of both species, as well as contrasting their reproductive strategies, to infer how susceptible they are to fishing exploitation. Comparatively, among batoids,N. entemedorfemales have an early age at maturity, relatively high fecundity, and an intermediate lifespan, whileR. steindachnerifemales have an early age at maturity, low fecundity, and a relatively short lifespan. According to our estimates, however, both species have relatively high reproductive potential, whichN. entemedorexhibits by investing energy in maximizing fecundity andR. steindachneriby increasing the embryo’s body mass. Therefore,N. entemedorhas better capacity to recover from relatively high overfishing (rʹ = 0.48) in comparison withR. steindachneri(rʹ = -0.18). The methodology used in this study proved to be a good option to assess the risk of overfishing in species for which there is limited data.

Keywords : batoids; Torpediniformes; Myliobatiformes; reproduction; fishing pressure.

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