Gestation and size at parturition for Mobula kuhlii cf. eregoodootenkee

Few data are available describing reproduction in the pygmy devilray, Mobula kuhlii cf. eregoodootenkee, or mobulids in general. Using samples collected from bather-protection gillnets deployed off eastern Australia during 2017–18 we provide further comment on their periodicity, gestation and size at parturition. Twelve adult specimens were necropsied: two were males (99.5 and 106.3\ua0cm disc width–DW); five were pre-ovulatory (112.4–122.0\ua0cm DW) non-gravid females with 15–25 oocytes in their functional left ovary; and five were gravid (112.6–121.0\ua0cm DW), each with a single embryo (24.0–42.3\ua0cm DW) but similar numbers and sizes of ovarian follicles as their non-gravid conspecifics. At 43.2\ua0cm DW or 36% of its mother’s DW, the largest embryo was almost full term. Considering previous data describing early pregnancies, reproduction appears seasonal (but not consecutive) and involves protracted mating and a gestation probably >12 mo. The data reiterate a low reproductive output and a need for appropriate conservation strategies