Assessing the reproductive biology of the Greenland shark (Somniosus microcephalus)
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Assessing the reproductive biology of the Greenland shark (Somniosus microcephalus). / Nielsen, Julius; Hedeholm, Rasmus B.; Lynghammar, Arve; McClusky, Leon M.; Berland, Bjørn; Steffensen, John F.; Christiansen, Jørgen S.
In: PLoS ONE, Vol. 15, No. 10, e0238986, 2020.Research output: Contribution to journal › Journal article › Research › peer-review
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TY - JOUR
T1 - Assessing the reproductive biology of the Greenland shark (Somniosus microcephalus)
AU - Nielsen, Julius
AU - Hedeholm, Rasmus B.
AU - Lynghammar, Arve
AU - McClusky, Leon M.
AU - Berland, Bjørn
AU - Steffensen, John F.
AU - Christiansen, Jørgen S.
PY - 2020
Y1 - 2020
N2 - The Greenland shark (Somniosus microcephalus, Squaliformes: Somniosidae) is a longlived Arctic top predator, which in combination with the high historical and modern fishing pressures, has made it subject to increased scientific focus in recent years. Key aspects of reproduction are not well known as exemplified by sparse and contradictory information e.g. on birth size and number of pups per pregnancy. This study represents the first comprehensive work on Greenland shark reproductive biology based on data from 312 specimens collected over the past 60 years. We provide guidelines quantifying reproductive parameters to assess specific maturation stages, as well as calculate body length-at-maturity (TL50) which was 2.84±0.06 m for males and 4.19±0.04 m for females. From the available information on the ovarian fecundity of Greenland sharks as well as a meta-analysis of Squaliform reproductive parameters, we estimate up to 200-324 pups per pregnancy (depending on maternal size) with a body length-at-birth of 35-45 cm. These estimates remain to be verified by future observations from gravid Greenland sharks.
AB - The Greenland shark (Somniosus microcephalus, Squaliformes: Somniosidae) is a longlived Arctic top predator, which in combination with the high historical and modern fishing pressures, has made it subject to increased scientific focus in recent years. Key aspects of reproduction are not well known as exemplified by sparse and contradictory information e.g. on birth size and number of pups per pregnancy. This study represents the first comprehensive work on Greenland shark reproductive biology based on data from 312 specimens collected over the past 60 years. We provide guidelines quantifying reproductive parameters to assess specific maturation stages, as well as calculate body length-at-maturity (TL50) which was 2.84±0.06 m for males and 4.19±0.04 m for females. From the available information on the ovarian fecundity of Greenland sharks as well as a meta-analysis of Squaliform reproductive parameters, we estimate up to 200-324 pups per pregnancy (depending on maternal size) with a body length-at-birth of 35-45 cm. These estimates remain to be verified by future observations from gravid Greenland sharks.
U2 - 10.1371/journal.pone.0238986
DO - 10.1371/journal.pone.0238986
M3 - Journal article
C2 - 33027263
AN - SCOPUS:85092645931
VL - 15
JO - PLoS ONE
JF - PLoS ONE
SN - 1932-6203
IS - 10
M1 - e0238986
ER -
ID: 250868527