Abstract

AGUIRRE-VILLASENOR, Hugo  and  SALAS-SINGH, Carolina. New records of the lollipop catshark Cephalurus cephalus (Scyliorhinidae) from the Gulf of California, Mexico. Rev. Mex. Biodiv. [online]. 2012, vol.83, n.1, pp.298-300. ISSN 2007-8706.

On February 11th 2007, 13 neonates and 4 adults of Cephalurus cephalus were collected using a benthic sledge, during one oceanographic cruise (Talud X, St. 12) in the mid Gulf of California, Mexico (28°01'36" N, 111°51'50" W). The lollipop catsharks were caught at a depth of 464 to 486 m and at a temperature of 9.4°C, and where hypoxic (0.14 ml/l) conditions prevail. The total length (TL) of one female (221 mm) and one male (184 mm) was shorter than the known estimated sexual maturation size (240 mm and 190 mm, respectively). The TL of 10 neonates (70-96 mm) was shorter than the known estimated size at birth (100 mm), the new record was documented on a female (70 mm). Until now, the presence of neonates of C. cephalus during the winter season has not been reported in the literature; this suggests that the hatching season extends at least from winter to summer.

Keywords : Cephalurus cephalus; Gulf of California; neonates; size at birth; winter.

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