
TY  - JOUR
A1  - Simpfendorfer, CA 
T1  - Reproductive strategy of the Australian Sharpnose Shark, <I>Rhizoprionodon taylori</I> (Elasmobranchii: Carcharhinidae), from Cleveland Bay, Northern Queensland
JF  - Marine and Freshwater Research
JO  - Mar. Freshwater Res.
Y1  - 1992
VL  - 43
IS  - 1
SP  - 67
EP  - 75
KW  - embryonic diapause, life history
UR  - https://doi.org/10.1071/MF9920067 
N2  - Reproduction and early embryo development of Rhizoprionodon taylori from Cleveland Bay,  Queensland, was studied on the basis of 455 specimens caught between May 1987 and  February 1990. Males and females mature at sizes larger than those reported from northern  Western Australia, the Northern Territory and far northern Queensland. Mating occurs annually  in summer, and the gestation period is approximately 11.5 months. After development to a  small blastodermic disc, the embryos enter a state of diapause that lasts approximately 7 months.  R. taylori is the only species of shark that is known to have a period of embryonic diapause.  The litter size ranges from 1 to 10 (mean 4.9, being markedly larger than that for other carcharhinid  species of a similar size. The size at birth is 220- 260 mm. The reproductive and developmental  traits are discussed in relation to the life histories of this species and other carcharhinids. 
ER  -

