Reproductive biology of the banded guitarfish, Zapterix exasperata (Pisces: Rhinobatidae), in Bahia Almejas, Baja California Sur, Mexico

Abstract

The study was conducted in a fishing camp from August 1990 to June 1994. The banded guitarfish is present in the bay from January to August. Oocyte growth ends in February-March, and copulation and ovulation occur at the end of March and beginning of April. Embryonic development begins in April and ends in July-August, after a gestation period of three to four months. The size of the neonates is between 15 and 18 cm total length. Females dominated in the adult sex ratio, however, it was 1:1 in the embryos. Fecundity varied from four to 11 embryos per female. -from Author