Abstract
A novel statistical method for estimating the stages of maturity in male sharks and skates based on a segmented regression (SRM) is proposed. We hypothesize that this method is able to find the transition points in the three-phase relationship between total length (TL) and clasper length (CL). We applied an SRM to TL–CL data of nine species, from large pelagic sharks (e.g., Carcharhinus falciformis) to small coastal skates (e.g., Rioraja agassizi), captured in the southwestern Atlantic and northeastern Pacific. As expected, SRM detected two breakpoints, defining three maturity stages (immature, maturing, and mature), in six out of nine species. For three species, it was not possible to find two breakpoints because of incomplete sampling of TL. This novel method is noninvasive, it is applicable to previously collected data, is easy to use, and provides a reliable tool for increasing our understanding of elasmobranch reproductive strategies.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callMore From: Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
