Reproduction and growth of Notacanthus bonaparte (shortfin spiny eel): insights into the life history of a deep-sea species in the NE Atlantic

Sonia Rábade Uberos; Rosario Domínguez-Petit; Mariña Fabeiro; Juan Manuel Martínez Vázquez; Francisco Baldó; Rafael  Bañón

doi:10.3989/scimar.05639.111

Authors

Sonia Rábade Uberos Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas, (IIM-CSIC) https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9914-7165
Rosario Domínguez-Petit Centro Oceanográfico de Vigo, Instituto Español de Oceanografía (IEO, CSIC) https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1731-6848
Mariña Fabeiro Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas, (IIM-CSIC) https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1120-6322
Juan Manuel Martínez Vázquez Centro Oceanográfico de Santander (COST-IEO) Planta de Cultivos Marinos el Bocal https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8923-4596
Francisco Baldó Centro Oceanográfico de Cádiz (COCAD-IEO-CSIC) https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4220-4207
Rafael Bañón Grupo de Estudo do Medio Mariño (GEMM) https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6038-9335

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3989/scimar.05639.111

Keywords:

Notacanthidae, maturity, reproduction, age reading, Porcupine Bank, deep sea

Abstract

This study investigates the reproductive biology and growth of Notacanthus bonaparte based on 158 specimens collected in October 2023 from the Porcupine area, NE Atlantic. The specimens measured between 172 and 495 mm total length. Sagitta otoliths were extracted, photographed, measured and sectioned, revealing age estimates ranging from 4 to 20 years. The growth rate coefficient (k) was calculated as 0.05±0.02 (1 year^–1). Gonads were dissected and analysed histologically, confirming that Notacanthus bonaparte in the NE Atlantic is an iteroparous species with group-synchronous oocyte development. Length at maturity (L₅₀) was estimated to be 280 mm of total length for both sexes combined. The parameters of the length-weight equation were a=15.15 and b=3.32, indicating positive allometric growth. This study offers new insights into the life history of Notacanthus bonaparte and provides valuable information on the population dynamics of this deep-sea species.

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