Main Ref. | Breder, C.M. and D.E. Rosen, 1966 |
Mode | dioecism |
Fertilization | internal (oviduct) |
Mating type | |
Spawning frequency | |
Spawning aggregation | Ref. |
Batch spawner | Ref. |
Reproductive guild |
nonguarders open water/substratum egg scatterers |
Parental Care | none |
Description of life cycle and mating behavior | Oviparous, paired eggs are laid. Embryos feed solely on yolk (Ref. 50449). Distinct pairing with embrace. Young may tend to follow large objects, such as their mother (Ref. 205). From the work of Libby and Gilbert (1960) (Ref. 51117) and Luer and Gilbert (1985) (Ref. 38742) male and female clearnose skates mate side by side in an upright position (Ref. 49562). Actual copulation occurs when the male bites the caudal margin of the female's pectoral, bends his tail 75 degrees beneath hers and inserts one clasper, flexed ('splayed') medially 90 degrees, into her oviduct (Ref. 49562). A female displays 'back arching' and 'pectoral fin undulations' as precopulatory behavior to attract males (Ref. 49562). |
Search for more references on reproduction | Scirus |