This study found that the reef stingray Urobatis concentricus presents a matrotrophic aplacental viviparous reproduction with yolk sac and trophonemata formation. Growth of ovarian follicles occurs asynchronously and continuously with fecundity of three embryos per female. A maximum size of 58·4 cm total length and 37·6 cm disc width was recorded, corresponding to a mature female of 3 or 4 years of age.
Context Rhinoptera steindachneri is the third-most abundant batoid species in the artisanal gillnet fishery of the Gulf of California, but there are limited age and growth data available for management. Aims The aim was to estimate age and growth of this species from vertebral centra of 276 individuals. Methods Two adjusted data sets were constructed on the basis of the birth and capture months and defining adequately the birth band. Individual growth was described through a multi-model approach and inference by using von Bertalanffy, Gompertz, and Logistic models (two and three parameters), and a two-phase growth model (four and five parameters). Key results The model with the best fit to the size-at-age data was the two-phase model for both sexes (females: Dw∞ = 91.21 cm; k = 0.25 year−1, Dw0 = 46.2 cm; males: Dw∞ = 79.1 cm; k = 0.42 year−1, Dw0 = 45.5 cm). Maximum ages ranged from 9.92 to 10.75 years (female) and from 6.92 to 7.67 years (males). Maturity age was estimated in 3.92 years (females) and 3.72 years (males). Conclusions Rhinoptera steindachneri is a batoid species with intermediate growth and a shorter lifespan than for confamilial species and even than species with similar reproductive traits. Implications The need to carry out age validation studies for this species is highlighted.
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