PARSONS: REPRODUCTIVE BIOLOGY OF ATLANTIC SHARPNOSE SHARK 



¥!*?& . 



FIGURE 7.— Histological section of an epididymis from a mature Atlantic sharpnose shark (X 140). Large num- 

 bers of spermatozoa are present within the tubules of the structure. 



negative allometric growth. The claspers, after 

 attaining their functional length, do not continue 

 to grow or at least grow very little. This is a ten- 

 able hypothesis since continued growth would 

 not necessarily enhance the claspers' utility. 



Development of the siphon sacs coincides close- 

 ly with the rapid increase in clasper length (Fig. 

 9). This muscular, subdermal organ is nonexis- 

 tent until the onset of maturity. The siphon sacs 

 develop quickly and represent about 28% of the 



88t 



74 



5 59 



0. 



4 5 



31 



•6t 



30 



o OBSERVED 



• REGRESSION ESTIMATED 



'8-8- 



o o 

 -o 



35 7 44 1 52-4 60 8 69 2 77 5 85 9 94 2 102 6 

 TOTAL LENGTH (cm) 



Figure 8. — The maturation of male Atlantic sharpnose sharks 

 as evidenced by clasper development. The regression line indi- 

 cates that maturation occurs between 80 and 85 cm total length, 

 AT = 70. 



10 



5 











35-7 44 I 52-4 60-8 69-2 77-5 85 9 94 2 102 6 

 TOTAL LENGTH (cm) 



Figure 9.— The maturation of male Atlantic sharpnose sharks 

 as evidenced by siphon-sac development. The scatter diagram 

 suggests that maturation occurs at about 80 cm total length, 

 AT = 35. 



67 



