
%0 Journal Article
%A Kyne, P. M. 
%A Bennett, M. B. 
%T Reproductive biology of the eastern shovelnose ray, <emph type="2">Aptychotrema rostrata</emph> (Shaw &#38; Nodder, 1794), from Moreton Bay, Queensland, Australia
%J Marine and Freshwater Research
%D 2002/04/09
%V 53
%N 2
%P 583-589
%K Rhinobatidae, elasmobranch, fecundity
%R https://doi.org/10.1071/MF01063
%U https://www.publish.csiro.au/paper/MF01063 
%X The eastern shovelnose ray, Aptychotrema rostrata (Rhinobatidae), is an endemic batoid common to the east coast of Australia. The reproductive cycle was studied in Moreton Bay, south-eastern Queensland, over a 14-month period. Aptychotrema rostrata is an aplacental yolksac viviparous species with an annual, seasonal reproductive cycle in Moreton Bay. Females mature at 54&#8211;66 cm total length, and males at 60&#8211;68 cm total length. Gravid females were observed during September&#8211;November and parturition occurred in November&#8211;December. Vitellogenesis does not proceed in parallel with gestation. Ovulation and copulation probably occur during July&#8211;September, resulting in a gestational period of 3&#8211;5 months. Uterine fecundity ranges from 4 to 18, with a significant positive relationship between uterine fecundity and maternal body length. In mature males, a peak in the proportion of mature spermatocysts in the testes was observed in July, whereas gonadosomatic index peaked in April. 
