Comparative Life-History Strategies of Two Sympatric Stingray Species From the Indian River Lagoon, Florida
Location
HCAS Guy Harvey Oceanographic Center, Nova Southeastern University
Start
2-13-2025 2:15 PM
End
2-13-2025 2:30 PM
Type of Presentation
Oral Presentation
Abstract
Atlantic Hypanus sabinus and Bluntose Hypanus say stingrays are two benthic species found in coastal waters, including estuaries and lagoons. While populations of both species appear abundant in the Indian River Lagoon (IRL), an estuary ecosystem located along the east coast of Florida, the autecological information concerning H. sabinus and H. say is lacking. This project assessed the age, growth, and reproductive patterns of H. sabinus and H. say stingray populations. Specimens were collected monthly via a collaboration with Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s (FWC) Fisheries Independent Monitoring program (FIM). The collection of age-at-size data required comparison of vertebral band counts used to estimate age and morphometric measurements including disk width, disk length, total length, and total weight. To assess the stage of maturity for each specimen, clasper length and calcification in males and uterine/ovarian tract development in females was analyzed and recorded. The results of this study will increase our understanding of the life history of these data-deficient species and provide the data required for the conservation of stingray populations in Florida waters.
Comparative Life-History Strategies of Two Sympatric Stingray Species From the Indian River Lagoon, Florida
HCAS Guy Harvey Oceanographic Center, Nova Southeastern University
Atlantic Hypanus sabinus and Bluntose Hypanus say stingrays are two benthic species found in coastal waters, including estuaries and lagoons. While populations of both species appear abundant in the Indian River Lagoon (IRL), an estuary ecosystem located along the east coast of Florida, the autecological information concerning H. sabinus and H. say is lacking. This project assessed the age, growth, and reproductive patterns of H. sabinus and H. say stingray populations. Specimens were collected monthly via a collaboration with Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s (FWC) Fisheries Independent Monitoring program (FIM). The collection of age-at-size data required comparison of vertebral band counts used to estimate age and morphometric measurements including disk width, disk length, total length, and total weight. To assess the stage of maturity for each specimen, clasper length and calcification in males and uterine/ovarian tract development in females was analyzed and recorded. The results of this study will increase our understanding of the life history of these data-deficient species and provide the data required for the conservation of stingray populations in Florida waters.