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Vol. 1: 117–132, 2015 SEXUALITY AND EARLY DEVELOPMENT IN AQUATIC ORGANISMS Published online June 11 doi: 10.3354/sedao00012 Sex Early Dev Aquat Org OPENPEN ACCESSCCESS Sexual development and maturity scale for the angel shark Squatina squatina (Elasmobranchii: Squatinidae), with comments on the adequacy of general maturity scales Filip Osaer1,2,3,*, Krupskaya Narváez1,2,3, José G. Pajuelo2, José M. Lorenzo2 1ELASMOCAN, Asociación Canaria para la Investigación y Conservación de los Elasmobranquios, 35001 Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain 2Departamento de Biología, Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Edificio de Ciencias Básicas, Campus de Tafira, 35017 Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain 3Fundación Colombiana para la Investigación y Conservación de Tiburones y Rayas, SQUALUS, Carrera 60A No 11−39, Cali, Colombia ABSTRACT: This paper contributes to the reproductive biology of the genus Squatina and aims to complement the criteria, uniformity and adaptable staging of sexual maturity scales for elasmo- branchs based on data from the angel shark S. squatina captured near the island of Gran Canaria (Canary Islands, Central-East Atlantic). Both sexes presented a paired reproductive tract with both sides active and asymmetric gonad development. Microscopic and macroscopic observations of the testes were consistent and indicated seasonality of spermatogenesis. The spermatocyst de - velopment pattern in mature individuals could not be assigned to any of the categories described in the literature. The ovaries−epigonal organ association was of the external type. Although all Squatinidae share a conservative morphology, they show differences across species in the func- tionality of the paired reproductive tract, seasonality of spermatogenesis, coiled spermatozoa and the presence of egg candles.
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