Population structure, distribution and abundance patterns of the patagonian smoothhound Mustelus schmitti Springer, 1939 (Chondrichthyes, Elasmobranchii, Triakidae) in the rio de La Plata and inner continental shelf , sw Atlantic ocean (34º30'-39º30'S)

Abstract

A total number of 4824 Mustelus schmitti was sampled. Females ranged from 25 to 93 cm in spring and from 28 to 90 cm in summer. Males ranged from 34 to 82 and from 28 to 77 cm, respectively. Length composition of the population showed significant differences between spring and summer being females larger than males. Total length distribution did not show significant differences between cruises. Males density varied significantly between cruises while for the females no significant variation was observed. In the spring cruise, both sexes occurred at depths lower than 50 m. Females occurred in the whole area with adult occurrence only above 35°30'S. Mature males occurred throughout the area, immature males occurring in two trawls in Samborombón Bay. The summer cruise showed a discontinuous distribution of the species along the study area resulting in spatial segregation in two groups with immature females predominating in both of them.