Reproductive biology of the whitespotted eagle ray Aetobatus narinari (Myliobatiformes) captured in the coast of Paraíba and Pernambuco, Brazil.

The present study analysed aspects of reproductive biology based on macroscopic and microscopic structures of whitespotted eagle ray Aetobatus narinari captured by artisanal fishing off the coast of Paraíba and Pernambuco (7° 30' S, 34° 49' W; 7° 47' S, 34° 51' W), northeast Brazil. Of the 71 individuals in the sample, 55% were female (disc width - W D : 532-1698 mm) and 45% were male (W D : 442-1410 mm). The body size at which 50% of the individuals are mature (W D50 ) for males was 1155.8 mm; the clasper length varied between 24 and 184 mm. The W D50 for females was 1293.9 mm; the diameter of the largest vitellogenic follicle varied between 11 and 31 mm; and only the left ovary and uterus were functional. The microanatomy of the reproductive tract of males and females agrees with that of other elasmobranch species. In males, the highest hepato-somatic index (I H ) average and gonado-somatic index (I G ) average occurred in the third bimester of the year, whereas in females the highest values (average I H and I G , respectively) were in the second bimester of the year. Based on the information on reproduction of A. narinari from this study, it will be possible to contribute to the correct management and protection of this species.