Observations on the reproductive biology of three catsharks (Carcharhiniformes: Scyliorhinidae:AsymbolusandFigaro) from the continental shelf of southern Queensland, Australia

Three species of Australian endemic catsharks (grey spotted catsharkAsymbolus analis, orange spotted catsharkA. rubiginosusand Australian sawtail sharkFigaro boardmani) were collected from the trawl grounds of a highly seasonal commercial fishery off southern Queensland, Australia. Specimens were collected on the mid to outer continental shelf at depths between 78 and 168 m. This study provides the first information on the reproductive biology of these three poorly-known species. Mature female and maleA. analiswere observed from 455 mm total length (TL), mature femaleA. rubiginosusfrom 410 mm TL, mature maleA. rubiginosusfrom 405 mm TL, mature femaleF. boardmanifrom 402 mm TL and mature maleF. boardmanifrom 398 mm TL (although a lack of immature specimens precluded more accurate assessments of size at maturity). The reproductive mode of all species was confirmed as single oviparous (carrying only one egg case in each uterus at a time). Ovarian fecundity (the number of vitellogenic follicles) ranged from 7–20 inA. analis, 5–23 inA. rubiginosusand 9–13 inF. boardmani. Several indicators suggest thatAsymboluscatsharks off southern Queensland are reproductively active year-round. The proportion of femaleA. rubiginosuscarrying egg cases was highest in spring (60%), intermediate in autumn (50%) and lowest in winter (44%).