Size at maturity of the smooth hammerhead shark, Sphyrna zygaena, captured in the Gulf of California

Authors

  • Prisma Nava Nava Instituto de Ciencias del Mar y Limnología, UNAM. Calle Joel Montes Camarena S/N. Mazatlán, Sinaloa.
  • Juan Fernando Márquez-Farías Facultad de Ciencias del Mar. Universidad Autónoma de Sinaloa. Paseo Claussen s/n, Col. Los Pinos, 82000. Mazatlán, Sinaloa, México

Keywords:

Elasmobranchs, proportion of maturity, reproductive biology, Sphyrna zygaena.

Abstract

Size at first maturity was determined for females and males of smooth hammerhead shark, Sphyrna zygaena captured in the Gulf of California during 1995-2000. A total of 1,041 organisms (461 females and 580 males) were analyzed. The size of females ranged 46.0-286.3 cm of total length (TL) whereas the size of males ranged 49.5-278.0 cm TL. The most recurrent captured size for both sexes was 175.0-185.0 cm TL. Immature organisms were the main component of the catches for both sexes. Sex ratio (females:males) for neonates, juveniles and adults was 0.96:1, 0.74:1 and 1.17:1, respectively. Based on the weight-length relationship, it was observed that females are larger and heavier than males with positive allometric growth for both sexes. The logistic model showed that 50% of females are mature at 200.0 cm TL, whereas 50% of males are mature at 193.7 cm TL. The results of this study provide useful information to propose measures S. zygaena management since it is a species that requires attention due to their biological and commercial importance.

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Published

2016-12-27

How to Cite

Nava Nava, P., & Márquez-Farías, J. F. (2016). Size at maturity of the smooth hammerhead shark, Sphyrna zygaena, captured in the Gulf of California. HIDROBIOLÓGICA, 24(2), 129–135. Retrieved from https://hidrobiologica.izt.uam.mx/index.php/revHidro/article/view/570

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