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Revista de Biología Tropical
On-line version ISSN 0034-7744Print version ISSN 0034-7744
Abstract
CARRILLO, Luz; TAVARES, Rafael; SANCHEZ, Leonardo and VELASQUEZ, Carmen. Age and growth of the smalleye smooth-hound shark, Mustelus higmani (Carcharhiniformes: Triakidae) from the Venezuelan Caribbean. Rev. biol. trop [online]. 2020, vol.68, n.4, pp.1211-1220. ISSN 0034-7744. http://dx.doi.org/10.15517/rbt.v68i4.41553.
Introduction:
Mustelus higmani is one of the shark species most commonly caught in the Northeastern region of Venezuela; however, this species has been poorly studied.
Objective:
To evaluate the age and growth of M. higmani on the basis of the optical analysis of vertebrae.
Methods:
Between August 2016 and July 2017, the vertebral samples were collected in the fishing port of Juan Griego, Margarita Island. The growth study was based on a sample of 238 individuals, 86 males (24.1-59.5 cm TL) and 152 females (24.4-69.5 cm TL) and the use of VBGF modeling approach.
Results:
The RMI analysis suggested an annual periodicity for the deposition of growth rings. Ages assigned varied between 0 and 5 years in males, and between 0 and 6 years in females. The estimates of VBGF parameters were L ¥ = 60.4 cm TL, k = 0.53 years-1 and t 0 = -1.02 years in males; and L ¥ = 71.1 cm TL, k = 0.38 years-1 and t 0 = -1.17 years in females. The ages at maturity and longevities resulted respectively in 2.6 and 6.6 years for males; and in 2.1 and 9.0 years for females.
Conclusions:
In general, results indicate that M. higmani has a rapid growth, early maturity, short longevity, and annual reproductive cycle, characterizing it as a biologically productive species.
Keywords : biology; Caribbean; ecology; elasmobranchs; fishery; sharks.