Reproduction of the blue-spotted maskray Neotrygon kuhlii (Myliobatoidei: Dasyatidae) in south-east Queensland, Australia.

This study examined the reproduction and population structure of the blue-spotted maskray Neotrygon kuhlii within Moreton Bay, a subtropical embayment in south-east Queensland, Australia. Mean sizes at maturity were 314 mm disc width ( WD) in females ( n = 140, 115–465 mm WD) and 294 mm WD in males ( n = 123, 129–381 mm WD). Female N. kuhlii had a synchronous annual reproductive cycle, with one litter of one to three pups (mean ±s.d. 1·67 ± 0·71) produced per year. Mating behaviours were observed in October and November, and ovulation occurred early in the Austral summer, overlapping with the start of embryonic development. Gestation took c. 4 months with parturition occurring in late February and March. Size at birth was 115–170 mm WD. The population showed a significant female bias, particularly in larger size classes. Tagging studies produced a total recapture rate of 16·1% and indicated that N. kuhlii were site resident for up to 1081 days. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]