Reproductive biology of the common stingray Dasyatis pastinaca (Linnaeus, 1758) off the Gulf of Gabes (Central Mediterranean Sea)

This work deals with the reproductive biology of the common stingray, Dasyatis pastinaca, in the Gulf of Gabes (Central Mediterranean Sea). A total of 383 specimens (212 females, 171 males) were collected from bottom trawls, gillnets and longlines between June 2011 and October 2014. The largest male and female measured respectively 47 and 69 cm Disc Width (DW) and weighted 4150 and 12700 g. The Relationships between DW and M-T were significantly different between sexes. The DW at which 50% of the population reached maturity was 33 cm and 40 cm respectively for males and females. In females, the oocytes diameter and the gonadosomatic index (GSI) suggest that ovulation occurred during the end of June early July. Pregnant females with fully developed foetuses were captured in June and neonates were observed during the end of June and early July. In males, the GSI values were highest from Mars to May, suggesting that the mating season occurred throughout July. The common stingray, Dasyatis pastinaca, is a slightly prolific species, the fecundity not exceed 10 foetuses per litter. The size at birth ranges from 11.22 to 13.15 cm DW.