Abstract
Few data are available describing reproduction in the pygmy devilray, Mobula kuhlii cf. eregoodootenkee, or mobulids in general. Using samples collected from bather-protection gillnets deployed off eastern Australia during 2017–18 we provide further comment on their periodicity, gestation and size at parturition. Twelve adult specimens were necropsied: two were males (99.5 and 106.3 cm disc width–DW); five were pre-ovulatory (112.4–122.0 cm DW) non-gravid females with 15–25 oocytes in their functional left ovary; and five were gravid (112.6–121.0 cm DW), each with a single embryo (24.0–42.3 cm DW) but similar numbers and sizes of ovarian follicles as their non-gravid conspecifics. At 43.2 cm DW or 36% of its mother’s DW, the largest embryo was almost full term. Considering previous data describing early pregnancies, reproduction appears seasonal (but not consecutive) and involves protracted mating and a gestation probably >12 mo. The data reiterate a low reproductive output and a need for appropriate conservation strategies.
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