Annual breeding in a captive smalltooth sawfish, Pristis pectinata. Issue 5 (16th September 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Flowers, Kathryn I.; Chapman, Demian D.; Kemp, Todd; Wert, Dave; Feldheim, Kevin A.
• Is Part Of: Journal of fish biology. Volume 97:Issue 5(2020)
• Page Start: 1586
• Page End: 1589
• Publication Date: 2020-09-16
• Subjects: Bahamas -- batoid -- endangered species -- reproduction -- smalltooth sawfish; Fishes -- Periodicals; Fishes -- Great Britain -- Periodicals; 597
• DOI: 10.1111/jfb.14523
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0022-1112

Abstract

Abstract: The critically endangered smalltooth sawfish Pristis pectinata reproduces biennially in central west Florida, U.S.A. Here we demonstrate that smalltooth sawfish are physiologically capable of reproducing annually in a captive environment. The smalltooth sawfish are held in an open system, with abiotic conditions that vary naturally with the surrounding environment in The Bahamas. This suggests wild smalltooth sawfish may also be capable of annual reproduction provided there are adequate prey resources, limited competition and mate availability.