Publication Abstract

The fecundity of North-eastern Atlantic spurdog Squalus acanthias L., 1758

Ellis, J.R. and Keable, J.

A large catch of mature, female spurdog Squalus acanthias was made on 22 November 2005 in the Irish Sea. Examination of a sub-sample of 202 of these fish (82–117 cm total length) indicated that 28% were carrying near term pups, 70% year one pups and 1% candles. Uterine fecundity (F) for those fish that were not considered to have aborted pups (n = 179) ranged from 3–21 and increased with total length (L, cm), where F = 0.428.L – 31.87. The upper limits of these fecundity estimates are the highest recorded for spurdog in the North-eastern Atlantic. These data are discussed in relation to previously published fecundity estimates and the possibility of a density-dependent increase in fecundity. 

Reference

Ellis, J.R. and Keable, J. (2008) The fecundity of North-eastern Atlantic spurdog Squalus acanthias L., 1758. ICES Journal of Marine Science, 65; 979-981