Abstract

MEJIA-FALLA, Paola A; NAVIA, Andrés F  and  GIRALDO, Alan. Biological notes on the ocellated ray Zapteryx xyster Jordan & Evermann, 1896 (Chondrichthyes: Rhinobatidae) in the central fishing zone of the Colombian Pacific Ocean. Investig. mar. [online]. 2006, vol.34, n.2, pp.181-185. ISSN 0717-7178.  http://dx.doi.org/10.4067/S0717-71782006000200018.

The specific life history of rays from the family Rhinobatidae includes low fecundity, ovoviviparous reproduction, and few progeny, making the species vulnerable to recruitment in fishing zones. In Colombia, Zapteryx xyster does not have any commercial value but is captured incidentally by small-scale and industrial fisheries in the Pacific. We studied the biological aspects of 55 Z. xyster specimens caught during shrimp prawn trawling in the central fishing zone of the Colombian Pacific between July and December 2001. Individuals were caught between 30 and 45 m depth, especially at night. Sizes ranged between 27 and 66 cm total length and the species presented isometric relationships for total length-weight (b = 2.85) and disc width-weight (b = 2.72). The studied specimens included all stages of gonad development, with state II predominating (40.7%). The diet of Z. xyster is based on six prey items; four of these are classified as principal. Shrimps from the family Penaeidae were the preferred prey

Keywords : Zapteryx xyster; rays; growth; Colombia; Pacific Ocean.

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