Characterization of uterus morphology and embryos development of the blue shark, Prionace glauca (Linnaeus, 1758)

Authors

  • Jefferson F. A. Legat Pesquisador da Empresa Brasileira de Pesquisa Agropecuária, Embrapa Meio-Norte. Parnaíba-PI, Brasil.
  • Carolus M. Vooren Professor Titular do Departamento de Oceanografia da Universidade Federal do Rio Grande, Laboratório de Elasmobrânquios e Aves Marinhas, Rio Grande RS, Brasil.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.32360/acmar.v41i2.6057

Keywords:

reproduction, anatomy, placentary viviparity

Abstract

Sixty females of blue shark,  Prionace glauca (Linnaeus, 1758) were submitted to biometric analysis. The  reproductive organs of 30 females - eight of which pregnant - were collected for detailed analysis. The uterus was described  and classified into six categories according to the sexual maturity phases. The uterine fecundity varied between 10 and  39, without relationship with total length. The content of the uterus was classified into five phases of development, from  uterine eggs to embryos measuring about 18 cm in total length. Embryos’ sex was precisely determined at 10 cm total  length, and it was not observed the predominance of either sex in the uterus.

Published

2008-11-01

Issue

Section

Artigos originais