The reproductive biology of the pelagic thresher shark Alopias pelagicus, was analysed based on 241 individuals (101 males and 140 females). Samples were collected from April 2005 to February 2006, from the artisanal fishery in Manta, Ecuador. Males ranged from 68 to 183 cm precaudal length (PL); females ranged from 70 to 180 cm PL. In embryos, sexual proportion was 1F:1M; while in adults the proportion was 1.4F:1M, which suggests sexual segregation in maturing individuals. We showed differences in the development of reproductive structures according to the reproductive condition, and in males the size at maturity occurs at 144.3 cm PL and in females at 151.4 cm PL. We recorded 33 pregnant females that presented one embryo in each uterus in different developmental stages. The results of this study provide information on reproduction of the species that will help to establish an appropriate fisheries management.

Reproductive characteristics of the Pacific angel shark, Squatina californica, were evaluated from 420 specimens obtained from the artisanal fishery in La Paz Bay, Gulf of California, Mexico. Females (99 cm, 6000 g) were larger than males (95 cm, 5000 g) in terms of both total length (L(T)) and body mass (M(T)). The overall sex ratio was significantly different from the expected 1:1, suggesting sexual segregation of mature individuals in La Paz Bay. Males had developed reproductive organs and calcified claspers from 72 cm L(T); the median size at maturity (LT50 ) was 75.6 cm. In females, only the left ovary was functional and mature ovarian follicles were present from 77 cm L(T); the estimated LT50 was 77.7 cm. For the 10 gravid females sampled, uterine fecundity was between two and 10 embryos. Mature, non-gravid females with small and large ovarian follicles appeared simultaneously with gravid females with follicles that did not exceed 1.9 cm diameter.

Biological sampling of whitesnout guitarfish Rhinobatos leucorhynchus, caught as by-catch in the commercial fisheries on the Pacific coast of Ecuador, was conducted from specimens caught between April 2013 and January 2015, in order to provide further information on the reproductive biology of this species, for which data are limited. Samples comprised 1024 specimens (458 males and 566 females), with the sex ratio (1:1·23) significantly in favour of females. The total length (LT) ranged from 20·5 to 106·0 cm and showed sexual dimorphism, with females attaining a larger size. The relationship between body mass (MT) and LT was not significantly different between sexes. The length at 50% maturity for males based on internal reproductive organs was 60·9 cm LT , which was slightly larger than when based on clasper condition alone (58·5 cm LT). The LT at 50% maturity for females was 57·8 cm, and the LT at maternity was 65·1 cm. Fecundity ranged from one to seven embryos and LT at birth was 20-26 cm. According to oocyte development, two peaks of ovulation were observed (May to June and November to December). The ovarian cycle was estimated at 6 months and gestation between 5 and 6 months. Embryos showed different sizes all year-round, indicating an asynchronous cycle.

El tiburón azul Prionace glauca es una especie importante en la pesquería de Ecuador. Se registraron un total de 577 organismos con tallas de 130 a 307 cm de longitud total (LT). La proporción entre sexos fue de 1.06 machos: 1 hembras. En los machos el clasper presentó medidas de entre 4 y 21.2 cm y el punto de inflexión fue estimado en 189.7 cm de LT. La talla media de madurez (LT 50) de los machos del tiburón azul fue de 187.1 cm LT.

Mustelus lunulatus is the most important shark demersal species in the landings of the Ecuadorian artisanal fishery, this study was carried out to expand the knowledge about size, sex, type of growth (isometric or allometric) and reproductive aspects in males of the species. Biological traits of the sicklefin smooth-hound shark, M. lunulatus, caught in the Pacific coast of Ecuador were assessed by examining 199 individuals ranging from 41.2 to 135.0 cm in total length (TL). The means TL did not show significant differences between sexes. The sex ratio was not different from 1:1 and the weightlength relationship did not showed significant differences between males and females. Both sexes have a growth of isometric type (b males = 3.05 and b females = 3.15). Total length at sexual maturity (TL 50) of male M. lunulatus, calculated from the clasper condition, was estimated to be 97.2 cm. The present study provides new information regarding the biology of M. lunulatus in Ecuadorian waters.