Dipturus Oxyrinchus Research Articles

Measurement of the Growth of the Main Commercial Rays (Raja clavata, Raja brachyura, Torpedo marmorata, Dipturus oxyrinchus) in European Waters Using Intercalibration Methods.

The intercalibration of age readings represents a crucial step in the ageing procedure; the use of different sampling methods, structures, preparation techniques, and ageing criteria can significantly affect age and growth data. This study evaluated the precision and accuracy of ageing for the most important North Atlantic (NA) and Mediterranean (M) ray species, Raja clavata, Raja brachyura, Torpedo marmorata, and Dipturus oxyrinchus, through exchange exercises carried out by readers from different laboratories. In addition, growth parameters were estimated from the obtained data. A total of 663 individual batoids were analysed. R. clavata and R. brachyura samples were obtained from both the NA and the M, while vertebral centra of T. marmorata and D. oxyrinchus were only available for the M. High reading variability was observed for all four evaluated species in terms of CV, APE, and PA. D. oxyrinchus and T. marmorata showed relatively slow growth and the von Bertalanffy model with fixed t0 and Gompertz's model were, respectively, the most precise models for each of these species. In R. brachyura, females had a faster growth rate compared to combined sexes. The vbt0p proved the most precise model for describing growth in this species, and no statistical differences were found between the NO and the M. For R. clavata, the best-fitting model was the vbt0p for females and males in the NO and for females from the M, while the best-fitting model for males from the M and sexes combined for both areas was log.p. Distinct growth patterns were observed between the two study areas.

Gökçeada (Kuzey Ege Denizi) çevresindeki iki vatoz türünün, Raja miraletus Linnaeus, 1758 ve Dipturus oxyrinchus (Linnaeus, 1758) (Chondrichthyes, Rajidae) beslenme alışkanlıkları

This study investigated the feeding habits of Raja miraletus Linnaeus, 1758 and Dipturus oxyrinchus (Linnaeus, 1758). For the purpose of this study, the specimens were obtained monthly from the commercial trawlers operating around the Gökçeada Island in the Northern Aegean Sea between February 2019 and February 2020. A total of 29 (24 female and 5 male) brown rays (Raja miraletus) and 36 (20 female and 16 male) longnosed skates (Dipturus oxyrinchus) were captured. The total lengths of the R. miraletus specimens ranged between 24.0 cm and 53.9 cm, while the D. oxyrinchus specimens measured between 17.1 cm and 85.0 cm. Total length-weight relationships of R. miraletus and D. oxyrinchus specimens, respectively; W=0.0002TL3.92 (R2=0.97) and W=0.0007TL3.43 (R2=0.97) were calculated. The analysis of the stomach content of the specimens showed that crustacea were the primary and the most important prey group for R. miraletus (IRI% = 67.09), followed by teleosts (IRI% = 1.00) and cephalopods (IRI% = 0.45). The D. oxyrinchus specimens were determined to primarily feed on crustacea (IRI% = 74.3), followed by teleosts (IRI% = 6.50) and nematoda (IRI% = 0.40).

Growth Characteristics of Long-Nosed Skate Dipturus oxyrinchus (Linnaeus, 1758) Inhabiting the Northeastern Mediterranean Sea

This study aims to determine the age and growth characteristics of Dipturus oxyrinchus living in the Northeastern Mediterranean Sea and to present data that can provide a comparison with previous studies on the same subject. A total of 255 long-nose skates at a total length of 12.2-93.5 cm and weight of 8.34-3828 g were collected as non-target species from a commercial fishing boat. The male-female ratio was determined as 1:1.27. Using the von Bertalanffy equation and the Gompertz or logistic growth models, the growth parameters of Dipturus oxyrinchus were estimated as L∞ = 154.0, K = 0.064, t0 = -1.622; L∞ = 104.0, K = 0.35, I = 4.99; L∞ = 128.40, K = 0.19, I = 4.39 for all individuals, respectively. Maximum absolute growth was calculated as 9.33 cm at 5-6 years of age. Maximum relative growth at 1-2 years of age was estimated as 36.39%. Both absolute and relative growth were minimal in the 11-12 age group. The highest condition factor value was estimated as 0.416 in the 8-year-old group. As a result, the growth data of long-nose skates were obtained for the first time in the Northeastern Mediterranean Sea.

The complete mitochondrial genomes of the flapper skate Dipturus intermedius and the longnose skate Dipturus oxyrinchus

We describe the complete mitochondrial genomes of the flapper skate Dipturus intermedius (Parnell 1837) and the longnose skate Dipturus oxyrinchus (Linnaeus 1758), which have been obtained by Sanger sequencing. We report the length of the sequences to be 16,906 and 16,911 bp, respectively. The length and structure of gene regions, containing 13 protein-coding regions, 22 tRNA genes, two rRNA genes, and two non-coding areas, resemble those of related skate species. Despite D. intermedius being considered a cryptic species with D. batis, the full mitogenomes confirm that D. intermedius and D. oxyrinchus are more genetically similar. In comparison to other Dipturus species, D. intermedius is missing a whole codon in its cytochrome oxidase subunit 2 gene. These mitogenomes will be a useful resource furthering investigation of the population genetic differences and evolutionary history of skate species.

Structure and Diversity of the Demersal Fish Assemblages off Psara Island (Central Aegean Sea) Caught by Experimental Bottom Trawling

Data with high spatial resolution on the structure and diversity of marine assemblages are valuable for fisheries management and conservation planning but are seldom available. This study provides fisheries-independent, baseline information on the structure and diversity of the demersal fish assemblages of the continental shelf and upper slope off the island of Psara (Central Aegean Sea). Experimental bottom trawl hauls were conducted during 2009–2010, using identically designed trawls. All the fish in the catches were identified onboard, enumerated, and weighted to the nearest g. Species abundance and biomass were transformed to CPUE. Forty-seven taxa were identified in the catches. For 18 of the species caught no other fisheries-independent information on their abundances and distributions is available for the wider area. Among the Elasmobranchii species collected, Squalus acanthias, Dipturus oxyrinchus, and Raja clavata are species of conservation concern. Species composition was generally more similar to that reported for assemblages of the Cretan Sea and the South Aegean Sea than for assemblages of the North Aegean. The assemblages were structured with depth, a pattern that may be driven in part by the differences in benthic habitat between depth zones. No trends by depth in total numerical abundance and species diversity were identified, whereas the bathymetric change in taxonomic diversity was attributed to the depth distributions of certain species-rich orders and families. The frequency distribution of the trophic level of the species followed the broad-scale pattern that applies in the Mediterranean Sea.

Insights into population genetics, connectivity and demographic history of the longnosed skate Dipturus oxyrinchus (Linnaeus, 1758) in the western Mediterranean Sea

Abstract Genetic information is crucial for the conservation of Dipturus oxyrinchus (Linnaeus, 1758), a threatened large skate with declining populations over most of its geographical range. The main aim of the present study was to investigate the genetic structure, connectivity and demographic history of the longnosed skate in Sardinia (western Mediterranean Sea). Patterns of population structure were assessed in 175 specimens from six sampling sites. Variation in two mitochondrial genes (cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) and control region) highlighted high genetic diversity and low but significant genetic differentiation among sites, which clustered into three groups corresponding to the north‐west, north‐east and south Sardinian coasts. The observed genetic structuring could presumably depend on a combination of past geological events, contemporary restrictions to dispersal and biological characteristics of the species (e.g. site‐fidelity, no pelagic larval stage, limited dispersal of juveniles and/or adults). Demographic analyses showed signs of past population expansion, but substantial current stability of Sardinian populations. From a conservation perspective, these results are encouraging, and indicate that Sardinian populations are still large and stable, and seem not to have suffered negative side‐effects from the ever‐growing fishing pressure in the region. The occurrence of genetic structuring strongly supported the close monitoring of populations to identify any erosion of their gene pool, and high genetic variability of the Sardinian D. oxyrinchus populations could thus represent priority populations for conservation purposes, providing potential sources for recolonization in cases of local extinctions in other areas of the distribution range of the species. When the sequences from Sardinia were compared with those available from other areas, the data seem to exclude the possibility that the Atlantic and Mediterranean host totally isolated populations or even different species, as recently suggested. However, additional markers and a larger sampling sites are needed to confirm these findings.

OCCURENCE OF ADULT MALE AND JUVENILES OF Dipturus oxyrinchus FROM NORTH-EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN SEA

In this study, the juveniles and adult male of longnosed skate , Dipturus oxyrinchus ( Linnaeus, 1758), were caught as by-catch from a commercial trawl fishing at depths between 300-410 and 360-400m in the international waters of Northeastern Mediterranean Sea. The juveniles and mature male of longnosed skate were found for the first time in this region.

A molecular approach towards taxonomic identification of elasmobranch species from Maltese fisheries landings

The mitochondrial genome, through the application of DNA barcoding, provides a powerful tool for identifying species even when specimens are either incomplete or belong to species that exhibit cryptic diversity. In fisheries management accurate identification of whole or part of the specimens landed is a fundamental requirement for the conservation of species affected directly or indirectly by the fisheries activities. In this study cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) and NADH dehydrogenase subunit 2 (ND2) sequences were used to genetically distinguish 36 elasmobranch species collected from Maltese (Central Mediterranean) commercial fisheries landings. Each species was analysed using these two mtDNA loci where COI (610bp) and ND2 (990bp) efficiently distinguished between the various species studied, leading to the identification of 101 haplotypes, with the intraspecific p-distance ranging between 0 and 0.75% (mean 0.10%, SD ±0.13%). This study enhances the molecular data available on elasmobranchs by providing new ND2 sequences for various species, while providing both COI and ND2 data for poorly studied Mediterranean species including: the large pelagic sharks Alopias vulpinus, A. superciliosus, Carcharhinus altimus, C. plumbeus, Carcharadon carcharias, Isurus oxyrinchus, Prionace glauca and Odontaspis ferox; the smaller demersal sharks Somniosus rostratus, Squatina aculeata, S. oculata and Squalus sp.; and the endemic stingray Dasyatis tortonesei. It also confirmed the landings of species whose identification relies strongly on molecular tools, namely Squalus sp. and D. tortonesei, which are both first confirmed records amongst Maltese fisheries landings. Morphologically, the latter two species, can be easily misidentified with S. blainville and D. pastinaca respectively. Additionally, this study evaluated the genetic differences between different polychromatic forms of Raja clavata, R. radula and Dipturus oxyrinchus. Based on the currently analysed specimens, no significant genetic differences were found between the various forms and thus no further speciation within the species was identified.

Temporal dynamics of demersal chondrichthyan species in the central western Mediterranean Sea: The case study in Sardinia Island

Occurrence, abundance and size trends of 25 demersal Chondrichthyes (10 Sharks: 3 Carcharhiniformes, 2 Hexanchiformes, 5 Squaliformes; 14 Batoids: 3 Myliobatiformes, 8 Rajiformes, 3 Torpediniformes and 1 Holocephalan: 1 Chimaeriformes) collected from 22 years (1994–2015) of Mediterranean International Trawl Surveys (MEDITS) around Sardinian seas, were given. Data relative to two strata, the continental shelf (10–200m), the slope (201–800m), and the overall (10–800m), were analyzed in order to identify the general species distribution of their habitat preference. From the gathered data it appeared that the shelf was mostly inhabited by batoids while the slope by sharks. Only the small-spotted catshark Scyliorhinus canicula and the thornback skate Raja clavata were equally distributed with high values of occurrence and abundance both in the shelf and in the slope. All the other species showed a preferential distribution only in one stratum (shelf or slope). In general, temporal trends of abundance indexes were stable or increasing in all strata. GAM analysis also confirmed a stable trend. Almost all species displayed stable in size structure analysis, apart from R. brachyura and Dipturus oxyrinchus that showed a statistically increasing trend. Although the investigated chondrichthyan species seemed to display a not alarming status of conservation in Sardinian seas, more investigation should be done to assure a proper management of this threatened resource.

Life-history traits of the long-nosed skate Dipturus oxyrinchus.

This work investigates life-history traits of the long-nosed skate Dipturus oxyrinchus, which is a common by-catch in Sardinian waters. The reproductive variables were analysed from 979 specimens sampled during scientific and commercial hauls. Females (10·4-117·5 cm total length, LT ) attained larger sizes than males (14·5-99·5 cm LT ). To evaluate age and growth, a sub-sample of 130 individuals (76 females and 54 males) were used. The age was estimated by annuli counts of sectioned vertebral centra. Four models were used for the length-at-age data: the von Bertalanffy, the exponential, the Gompertz and the logistic functions. According to the Akaike's information criterion, the Gompertz model seemed to provide the best fitting curve (L∞ mean ± s.e.: 127·55 ± 4·90 cm, k: 0·14 ± 0·09, IP: 3·97 ± 0·90 years). The oldest female and male were aged 17 (115·5 cm LT ) and 15 years (96·0 cm LT ), respectively. Lengths at maturity were 103·5 cm for females and 91·0 cm for males, corresponding to 90% of the maximum observed length in both sexes. The monthly distribution of maturity stages highlighted an extended reproductive cycle, with spawning females and active males being present almost throughout the year, as confirmed by the gonado-somatic index. Ovarian fecundity reached a maximum of 26 yolked follicles with a mean ± s.e. size of 19·7 ± 6·5 mm.

Oviducal gland microstructure ofRaja miraletusandDipturus oxyrinchus(Elasmobranchii, Rajidae)

We studied the morphology and histology of the oviducal gland (OG) in the brown ray (Raja miraletus) and the long-nosed skate (Dipturus oxyrinchus) to understand its functional role in the reproductive strategy of these species. The external morphology of the gland was similar in both species, with lateral extensions like those found in other members of the Rajidae. Microscopic analysis showed a similar internal organization in both species. Immature and developing glands did not react to histochemical techniques. On reaching maturity, the OG had the largest width due to an increase in the production of secretory materials. In both species, the club zone of the gland showed a strong reaction to Periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) and alcian blue (AB) stains, indicating production of neutral and sulfated acid mucins. The secretory material produced by the papillary zone varied greatly between the two species. Both displayed tubular glands similar to those observed in the club zone, but in D. oxyrinchus the region near the lumen was intensely PAS+, whereas the last row of tubules of the brown ray stained intensely for a mixture of neutral and sulfated mucins. The baffle zone was the most conspicuous and extensive segment of all OGs, and it did not react to PAS/AB. The terminal zone, which is responsible for production of hair filaments, differed between the two species in terms of composition and organization of serous and mucous glands. This difference probably is related to the different substrates in which they release the egg capsules. Individual sperm detected in the brown ray baffle lamellae could be the result of a recent mating, whereas their presence in the deep recesses of the baffle and in the terminal zone of the long-nosed skate might indicate sperm storage.

Life-history traits of the long-nosed skate Dipturus oxyrinchus, from the central western Mediterranean Sea

Event Abstract Back to Event Life-history traits of the long-nosed skate Dipturus oxyrinchus, from the central western Mediterranean Sea Andrea Bellodi1, Cristina Porcu1*, Martina F. Marongiu1, Antonello Mulas1, Stefania Vittori1 and Maria C. Follesa1 1 Università degli Studi di Cagliari, Life and Environmental Sciences, Italy Skates are often considered vulnerable to overfishing because of their peculiar life cycle characteristics rendering them susceptible to overexploitation. In this regard, life-history traits of a by-catch species, the long-nosed skate Dipturus oxyrinchus (Linnaeus, 1758) from Sardinian waters, were investigated. The age, growth and reproduction were studied using 706 specimens sampled during experimental and commercial hauls (depths 76-671 metres). Females (10.4-117.5 cm in total length, TL) attained larger sizes than males (14.5-99.5 cm TL). To evaluate the growth, a subsample of 130 individuals (76 females and 54 males) was employed. The age was estimated through the annuli counts on sectioned vertebral centra. A high ageing reproducibility and precision was obtained (Index of Average Percent Error=6.56; %CV=8.9). Four models were applied on length at age data: the von Bertalanffy (VBGF), the Exponential, the Gompertz and the Logistic functions. According to the Akaike’s Information Criterion, the Gompertz model (L∞=127.5±4.9 cm; k=0.14±0.009; inflection point=3.97 y-1±0.9) provided the best fitting curve, showing a higher growth rate and a lower L∞ than what obtained with the VBGF (L∞=144.4±11.5 cm; k=0.08±0.001; t0=-1.09±0.23). The oldest female and male were 17 (115.5 cm TL) and 15 years (96 cm TL), respectively. Lengths at maturity were 103.5 cm (14 years) for females and 91 cm (12.1 years) for males corresponding to 88 and 91.5% of the maximum observed length, respectively. The monthly evolution of maturity stages highlighted an extended reproductive cycle with spawning females and active males almost over the year, as confirmed by the Gonado-somatic Index. Ovarian fecundity reached a maximum of 26 yolked follicles. Given the relative abundance in Sardinian seas, we hope that these results will prove useful for the implementation of basic management measures in order to ensure the sustainability of catches of this species, particularly sensitive to fishing pressure, in the Mediterranean Sea. Keywords: Dipturus oxyrinchus, age, Growth, Reproduction, Mediterranean Sea Conference: XV European Congress of Ichthyology, Porto, Portugal, 7 Sep - 11 Sep, 2015. Presentation Type: Poster Presentation Topic: Life Cycles, Migration and Connectivity Citation: Bellodi A, Porcu C, Marongiu MF, Mulas A, Vittori S and Follesa MC (2015). Life-history traits of the long-nosed skate Dipturus oxyrinchus, from the central western Mediterranean Sea. Front. Mar. Sci. Conference Abstract: XV European Congress of Ichthyology. doi: 10.3389/conf.FMARS.2015.03.00193 Copyright: The abstracts in this collection have not been subject to any Frontiers peer review or checks, and are not endorsed by Frontiers. They are made available through the Frontiers publishing platform as a service to conference organizers and presenters. The copyright in the individual abstracts is owned by the author of each abstract or his/her employer unless otherwise stated. Each abstract, as well as the collection of abstracts, are published under a Creative Commons CC-BY 4.0 (attribution) licence (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) and may thus be reproduced, translated, adapted and be the subject of derivative works provided the authors and Frontiers are attributed. For Frontiers’ terms and conditions please see https://www.frontiersin.org/legal/terms-and-conditions. Received: 16 Nov 2015; Published Online: 02 Dec 2015. * Correspondence: Dr. Cristina Porcu, Università degli Studi di Cagliari, Life and Environmental Sciences, Cagliari, 09126, Italy, cporcu@unica.it Login Required This action requires you to be registered with Frontiers and logged in. To register or login click here. Abstract Info Abstract The Authors in Frontiers Andrea Bellodi Cristina Porcu Martina F Marongiu Antonello Mulas Stefania Vittori Maria C Follesa Google Andrea Bellodi Cristina Porcu Martina F Marongiu Antonello Mulas Stefania Vittori Maria C Follesa Google Scholar Andrea Bellodi Cristina Porcu Martina F Marongiu Antonello Mulas Stefania Vittori Maria C Follesa PubMed Andrea Bellodi Cristina Porcu Martina F Marongiu Antonello Mulas Stefania Vittori Maria C Follesa Related Article in Frontiers Google Scholar PubMed Abstract Close Back to top Javascript is disabled. Please enable Javascript in your browser settings in order to see all the content on this page.

Temporal dynamics of demersal chondrichthyan species in the central western Mediterranean

Event Abstract Back to Event Temporal dynamics of demersal chondrichthyan species in the central western Mediterranean Martina F. Marongiu1, Cristina Porcu1, Andrea Bellodi1, Alessandro Cau1, Antonello Mulas1 and Maria C. Follesa1* 1 University of Cagliari, Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, Italy The rapid expansion of fisheries and globalized trade are emerging as the principal drivers of coastal and ocean threat. Considering the important role of Chondrichthyes as predators at the top of food chain in marine ecosystems, knowledge on their biology remains scarce in the Mediterranean. In this regard, our objective is to give information on their spatial distribution, abundance and population structure. Data were collected for 25 demersal species, including batoid species, sharks and holocephalans from 1994 to 2013 during scientific bottom trawl surveys (MEDITS project) carried out around the Sardinian seas. The total frequency of occurrence (f%), the Biomass Index (BI, kg/km2), and the Density Index (DI, N/km2) were estimated for the continental shelf (10-200 m), slope (200-800 m), and overall (10-800 m) depth strata. Size trends were also calculated for the most abundant species considering all depth strata. The correlation among MEDITS figures (f%, BI, DI, size structure) and years were assessed by species computing the Pearson linear coefficient. From f% and abundance indexes investigation, only the small spotted catshark Scyliorhinus canicula and the thornback ray Raja clavata were ubiquitous in all strata investigated, instead, all the other species showed a preferential distribution for the shelf or the slope. In general, the temporal trends of BI and DI were stable or positive for both macro-strata, except for the longnose spurdog Squalus blainville which seemed to show a statistically significant decreasing trend. All analyzed species displayed temporal stable trends in size structure analysis, apart from Raja brachyura and Dipturus oxyrinchus that showed a statistically significant increase. Despite the time series analysis revealed stable or positive trends, it appears clear the need of urgent management measures to protect the demersal chondrichthyan species extending the monitoring over time and implementing the data collected by scientific and commercial trawl surveys. Keywords: chondrichthyans, distribution, abundance, population structure, Mediterranean Sea Conference: XV European Congress of Ichthyology, Porto, Portugal, 7 Sep - 11 Sep, 2015. Presentation Type: Poster Presentation Topic: Ecology, Conservation and Invasive Species Citation: Marongiu MF, Porcu C, Bellodi A, Cau A, Mulas A and Follesa MC (2015). Temporal dynamics of demersal chondrichthyan species in the central western Mediterranean. Front. Mar. Sci. Conference Abstract: XV European Congress of Ichthyology. doi: 10.3389/conf.FMARS.2015.03.00194 Copyright: The abstracts in this collection have not been subject to any Frontiers peer review or checks, and are not endorsed by Frontiers. They are made available through the Frontiers publishing platform as a service to conference organizers and presenters. The copyright in the individual abstracts is owned by the author of each abstract or his/her employer unless otherwise stated. Each abstract, as well as the collection of abstracts, are published under a Creative Commons CC-BY 4.0 (attribution) licence (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) and may thus be reproduced, translated, adapted and be the subject of derivative works provided the authors and Frontiers are attributed. For Frontiers’ terms and conditions please see https://www.frontiersin.org/legal/terms-and-conditions. Received: 16 Nov 2015; Published Online: 02 Dec 2015. * Correspondence: Prof. Maria C Follesa, University of Cagliari, Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, Cagliari, 09126, Italy, follesac@unica.it Login Required This action requires you to be registered with Frontiers and logged in. To register or login click here. Abstract Info Abstract The Authors in Frontiers Martina F Marongiu Cristina Porcu Andrea Bellodi Alessandro Cau Antonello Mulas Maria C Follesa Google Martina F Marongiu Cristina Porcu Andrea Bellodi Alessandro Cau Antonello Mulas Maria C Follesa Google Scholar Martina F Marongiu Cristina Porcu Andrea Bellodi Alessandro Cau Antonello Mulas Maria C Follesa PubMed Martina F Marongiu Cristina Porcu Andrea Bellodi Alessandro Cau Antonello Mulas Maria C Follesa Related Article in Frontiers Google Scholar PubMed Abstract Close Back to top Javascript is disabled. Please enable Javascript in your browser settings in order to see all the content on this page.

Diet and feeding behaviour of longnosed skate Dipturus oxyrinchus.

A total of 255 longnosed skate Dipturus oxyrinchus caught in Sardinian waters (central-western Mediterranean Sea), was analysed with respect to fish total length (LT ), season and depth, in order to provide information on diet and feeding behaviour. Specimens ranging from 93 to 1153 mm LT , were collected at depths between 121 and 671 m, during experimental trawl surveys carried out from 2005 to 2010. The diet comprised crustaceans [prey specific index of relative importance (%IPSRI ) = 72·69], teleosts (%IPSRI = 10·28) and molluscs (%IPSRI = 10·94). Levins' index (Bi ) showed a narrow niche breadth (Bi = 0·35). The mean ± s.e. trophic level (TL ) was 3·63 ± 0·50. The analysis showed major ontogenetic changes in the feeding behaviour. Early life stages were characterized by a benthic diet, which changed to benthopelagic during growth. Mysids, particularly Lophogaster typicus (%IPSRI = 34·51), were the main prey items of immature individuals, replaced by euphausiids, mainly Meganyctiphanes norvegica (%IPSRI = 13·19), in maturing fish. Crustaceans became less important in mature specimens, being replaced by molluscs (%IPSRI = 28·99) and teleosts (%IPSRI = 24·56). A concomitant increase of the TL was recorded (mean ± s.e. = 3·41 ± 0·44, 3·75 ± 0·54 and 4·28 ± 0·61 for immature, maturing and mature individuals). These feeding patterns ensured low levels of intraspecific competition. This study provides new information about the role that the D. oxyrinchus plays in the marine food chain and data now essential to formulate new and effective management plans for this species.

Molecular barcoding of skates (Chondrichthyes: Rajidae) from the southern Northeast Atlantic

Serra‐Pereira, B., Moura, T., Griffiths, A. M., Gordo, L. S. & Figueiredo, I. (2010). Molecular barcoding of skates (Chondrichthyes: Rajidae) from the southern Northeast Atlantic. —Zoologica Scripta, 40, 76–84.Due to their vulnerability to fishing pressure, many species of skate (Rajidae) in the Northeast Atlantic are undergoing declines in abundance. The assessment of stock status and subsequent proposal of management measures are often complicated by high levels of species diversity and endemism, coupled with morphological and ecological conservatism, which makes distinguishing between species difficult. To improve the identification of skates and investigate the phylogenetic position of endemic species the cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) was sequenced in 12 species (Dipturus oxyrinchus, Leucoraja naevus, Leucoraja circularis, Neoraja iberica, Raja brachyura, Raja clavata, Raja maderensis, Raja microocellata, Raja miraletus, Raja montagui, Raja undulata, Rostroraja alba) inhabiting the Portuguese waters. Based on sequence divergence R. maderensis and R. clavata only differ by 1% of the 652 bp COI sequence, questioning the recognition of R. maderensis (considered to be endemic to Madeira and the Azores), as a reproductively isolated species. Otherwise, there was clear phylogenetic support for the different genera and all the remaining species, although the genetic divergence was low compared to other chordates. In particular, COI analysis allowed clear identification of the morphologically similar species R. brachyura and R. montagui.

Levels of connectivity between longnose skate (Dipturus oxyrinchus) in the Mediterranean Sea and the north-eastern Atlantic Ocean

Sequencing of a partial region of the mitochondrial control region has revealed no shared haplotypes between longnose skate (Dipturus oxyrinchus L.) sampled in the north-eastern Atlantic (Norway and Rockall) and those sampled in the Mediterranean (Mallorca). Bayesian estimation of the migration rate suggests little, if any, gene flow occurs between the regions and that the populations separated 20,000 years ago. These conclusions provide a genetic basis for long-standing observations, based on egg capsule and adult size, that longnose skate in the Mediterranean may be genetically isolated from other stocks. This result has important conservation implications for the threatened longnose skate.

Age, growth, reproduction and feed of longnosed skate, Dipturus oxyrinchus (Linnaeus, 1758) in Saros Bay, the north Aegean Sea

Summary The age, growth, reproduction, and feeding of longnosed skate (Dipturus oxyrinchus) were studied using 179 specimens from the Saros Bay (North Aegean Sea) between March 2005 and December 2007. Composition was 49.7% females and 50.3% males. Total length of females ranged from 14.9 to 100 cm (disc width, 9.8–65 cm), and of males from 15.2 to 86.5 cm (disc width, 10–57.5 cm). Total length-weight and disc width-weight relationships are described by the equations W = 0.0008*TL3.35 and W = 0.0043*DW3.29, respectively. The age data, derived from vertebrae readings, were used to estimate the growth parameters of the von Bertalanffy equation: L∞ = 256.46 cm, K = 0.04 year−1, t0 = −1.17year. The maximum age was 9 years. Males matured at 64–65 cm (disc width, 43.5 cm) and females at 82–83 cm TL (disc width, 53 cm). The stomach contained mainly Parapenaus longirostris, IRI: 93.47%.

Development of molecular and morphological markers to improve species-specific monitoring and systematics of Northeast Atlantic and Mediterranean skates (Rajiformes)

The Northeast Atlantic and Mediterranean skates (Rajidae) showed remarkable species diversity but with high morphological and ecological conservatism. Since skates are particularly vulnerable to the bottom trawl fishery, species-specific demographic surveys as well as studies defining life history and evolutionary traits are important in prioritising conservation programs. However, the identification of juveniles and adults of some species may be difficult using referenced guidelines and identification keys. Therefore, we attempt to develop markers for species identification through the parallel analysis of a 16S rDNA gene sequence and of several morphological characters on 135 individuals collected by trawl surveys in the Adriatic Sea and putatively assigned to six taxa. Species-specific haplotypes were defined for Raja miraletus, Raja montagui, Dipturus oxyrinchus, since a solid accordance between species boundaries and well-differentiated haplotypes was observed. Comparative analysis of 16S rDNA sequences allowed the identification of three juvenile specimens of Leucoraja circularis, a species that rarely occurs in the Adriatic Sea. On the contrary, morphological traits and haplotype distribution were largely discordant in Raja asterias and R. clavata. While all putative R. clavata individuals showed a unique haplotype (H-CLA), only 8 of 30 putative R. asterias individuals possessed a second weakly divergent haplotype (H-AST). The remaining 22 R. asterias carried the H-CLA. The multivariate analyses of morphometric and meristic characters in putative R. clavata and R. asterias revealed the clustering of individuals regardless of haplotypes. However, a bimodal distribution of R. asterias and R. clavata samples would suggest that two separated taxa might exist, both sharing the two 16S rDNA haplotypes. The haplotype distribution appeared to be significantly correlated only to the standardised disc length/total length (DL/TL) variation. Three alternative explanations may support this scenario: (i) an incomplete lineage sorting process in two morphologically yet distinct taxa; (ii) a recent hybridisation between the two taxa; (iii) the two taxa are morphologically plastic species and all considered morphological characters may be misleading in discriminating between them at all maturity stages, except for the DL/TL. However, further analyses on larger data sets and using molecular key markers (i.e. nuclear genes) will be needed to definitely resolve the status of these taxa. Molecular relationships among rajid taxa are largely consistent with systematics based on internal and external anatomical features. This multidisciplinary study contributed to defining the pattern of species diversity and abundance of rajids in the Adriatic Sea.