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An analysis of the feasibility of using caudal vertebrae for ageing the spinetail devilray, Mobula japanica (Müller and Henle, 1841)

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Abstract

Age assessment of Mobula japanica may be possible using the caudal vertebrae, below the origin of the dorsal fin. This is supported by the significant linear relationship found between disc width (DW) and centrum radius (CR, n = 55), the continuous record of growth bands in the vertebrae, the clarity to distinguish and count growth bands, and the precision of the band counts. Assuming an annual band formation, the preliminary assessment of the age suggests that M. japanica lives at least 14 years and has a low growth rate (K = 0.28 year−1). The minimum number of growth bands was one for spinetail devilrays with a 1,210–1,390 mm DW, while the maximum was 14 for a 2,300 mm DW devilray. While age validation is still required, results indicate the feasibility of the use of caudal vertebrae for age estimation. To provide robust estimates of validated age and growth for the spinetail devilray, the sampling coverage needed might imply an international cooperation.

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Acknowledgments

We thank to the fisherman of the fishing camp “Punta Arenas de la Ventana”, Baja California Sur, Mexico, for allowing us to collect specimens and biological material. Thanks to F. Galvan and N. Serrano for their help in the field. Thanks to I. Mendez for their considerable help at field and laboratory. Thanks to A. Medellin, L. Castillo and C. Rodríguez for their help in laboratory. E. Díaz, J. M. Alfaro and E. Bravo provide technical support and improved the images. Thanks to G.M. Cailliet for reviewing a first version of this paper. Funding was provided by the project Historia Natural, Movimientos, Pesquería y Criaderos, Administración de Mantas Mobulidas en el Golfo de California of the Monterey Bay Aquarium.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Departamento de Aprovechamiento y Manejo de Recursos Acuáticos, El Colegio de la Frontera Sur (ECOSUR), Calle 10 x 61 # 264, Colonia Centro, Campeche, Campeche, México, 24000

    Elizabeth Cuevas-Zimbrón & Juan Carlos Pérez-Jiménez

  2. Laboratorio de Ecología Pesquera, Departamento de Oceanografía Biológica, CICESE, Carretera Ensenada-Tijuana No. 3918, Ensenada, BC, México, 22860

    Oscar Sosa-Nishizaki

  3. Monterey Bay Aquarium, 886 Cannery Row, Monterey, CA, 93940, USA

    John B. O’Sullivan

Authors
  1. Elizabeth Cuevas-Zimbrón
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  2. Oscar Sosa-Nishizaki
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  3. Juan Carlos Pérez-Jiménez
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  4. John B. O’Sullivan
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Correspondence to Oscar Sosa-Nishizaki.

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Cuevas-Zimbrón, E., Sosa-Nishizaki, O., Pérez-Jiménez, J.C. et al. An analysis of the feasibility of using caudal vertebrae for ageing the spinetail devilray, Mobula japanica (Müller and Henle, 1841). Environ Biol Fish 96, 907–914 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10641-012-0086-2

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