Sexual dimorphism in the head, mouth, and body morphology of the smallspotted catshark, Scyliorhinus canicula (Linnaeus, 1758) (Chondrichthyes: Scyliorhinidae) from Turkey

Abstract

        Males of the smallspotted catshark, Scyliorhinus canicula, have a longer and narrower mouth than females, resulting in pronounced sexual dimorphism. The length/width ratio of the mouth is 0.55 in males and 0.50 in females. Other head measurements also significantly differ between the sexes, i.e., the snout-spiracle and snout-pectoral distances. Body measurements that differ between the sexes include pelvic to anal, pectoral inner edge, pelvic to median tip, upper caudal, and total body lengths. Reasons for these differences are discussed.