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Reproductive variations in cownose rays (Rhinoptera bonasus) from Chesapeake Bay

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Abstract

The cownose ray, Rhinoptera bonasus, a K-selected species in Chesapeake Bay is subject to an unregulated fishery with no management plan in place. Understanding the reproductive potential for cownose ray is important for successful conservation and management. This study marks the first observation of multiple embryos and right uterus functionality. Eight instances of multiple embryos in cownose rays are reported; two sets of twin live births from captive rays and six separate in utero multiple embryos discovered during necropsy of fishery-dependent and -independent samples. All multiple embryos were in the left uterus. Live births in captivity were confirmed as two sets of twins through direct sequencing of a portion of the mitochondrial DNA and analysis of nuclear microsatellite loci from the newborn pups and putative mothers. In addition, first- and third- quarter term embryos were removed from the right uterus of two female rays during necropsy, marking the first reports of gestation in the right oviduct of cownose rays. The recovery of a three-quarter term albinistic cownose ray embryo through necropsy is also reported.

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Acknowledgements

A special thanks to Janet Krenn for editorial review of this paper, and haul seine fishermen John Dryden and George Trice for assistance with the collection of rays. This work was conducted under IACUC guidelines providing for the capture, holding, tagging, and release of captive rays. This work is a result of research sponsored by National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), U.S. Department of Commerce, Award Number NA07NMF4570324, as well as in part by NOAA Award Number NA10OAR4170085 to Virginia Sea Grant. This paper is Contribution No. 3377 of the Virginia Institute of Marine Science, College of William & Mary.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Virginia Institute of Marine Science, College of William and Mary, Gloucester Point, VA, P.O. Box 1346, 23062, USA

    Robert A. Fisher & Jan R. McDowell

  2. Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, Tufts University, 200 Westboro Rd, North Grafton, MA, 01536, USA

    Garrett C. Call

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  1. Robert A. Fisher
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  2. Garrett C. Call
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  3. Jan R. McDowell
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Correspondence to Jan R. McDowell.

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Fisher, R.A., Call, G.C. & McDowell, J.R. Reproductive variations in cownose rays (Rhinoptera bonasus) from Chesapeake Bay. Environ Biol Fish 97, 1031–1038 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10641-014-0297-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10641-014-0297-9

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