Abstract
Despite the frequent occurrence of elasmobranchs in surf zones, the use of tidal pools by these animals is unknown, with only one incidental observation reported in the literature. Here we present a possible birth observation in a tide pool for the shortnose guitarfish, Zapteryx brevirostris (Müller et Henle, 1841). We discuss this occurrence as it relates to the possible use of this micro-habitat to take advantage of its ecological characteristics during parturition, the moment of extreme vulnerability to viviparous elasmobranchs.
Highlights
The shortnose guitarfish, Zapteryx brevirostris (Müller et Henle, 1841) (Family: Rhinobatidae), is a small-sized batoid species, endemic to the South-western Atlantic Ocean, with a mean total length of 50 cm (Last et al 2016, Carmo et al 2018)
As a benthic/invertivore inshore species, Z. brevirostris can be found on unbound substrate up to 50 m depth (Bornatowski et al 2014)
The reproductive cycle observed for Z. brevirostris seems to be influenced by latitudinal marks
Summary
The shortnose guitarfish, Zapteryx brevirostris (Müller et Henle, 1841) (Family: Rhinobatidae), is a small-sized batoid species, endemic to the South-western Atlantic Ocean, with a mean total length of 50 cm (Last et al 2016, Carmo et al 2018). As a benthic/invertivore inshore species, Z. brevirostris can be found on unbound substrate up to 50 m depth (Bornatowski et al 2014) This guitarfish exhibits yolk-sac viviparity, a lecithotrophic viviparous reproduction mode, with four to eight neonates per breeding cycle (Batista 1987, 1991, Abilhoa et al 2007, Colonello et al 2011). We reported the occurrence of adult females and newborn offspring using a tide pool in south-eastern Brazil. We discussed this observation as it relates to a possible birth event in a tide pool, which to our knowledge, would be the first report of that nature for any elasmobranch species
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