Características limnológicas, ictiofauna y abundancia de Odontesthes bonariensis de 35 lagunas de la región pampeana (Argentina).

In this work the distribution and abundance of egg cases of skates Bathyraja brachyurops and B. macloviana on the Buenos Aires continental shelf and the Mar del Plata submarine canyon are analyzed and stages of embryonic development described. Although distribution, similar for both species, was registered south of 37° S at 84-215 m depth, some cases of B. macloviana were found down to 1,395 m. The highest abundance of B. brachyurops was recorded between 97-145 m and 251 m and that of B. macloviana at 94-105 m. Results indicate similar oviposition areas that coincide with the Argentine break front and the Patagonian scallop banks. Cases with embryos in different stages of development were collected. The anatomical structures, similar for both species in the first stages, showed differences in spinulation and pigmentation in the final ones. In both species early stages of development were found between July and September. The different stages observed in B. brachyurops embryos in July suggest oviposition at different times of the year. Those of B. macloviana found in the same stage in different seasons and in different stages in the same season suggest a similar oviposition pattern.