First Estimates of Age and Growth of the Lusitanian Cownose Ray (Rhinoptera marginata) from the Mediterranean Sea
, Asiye Başusta 1, Erdoğan Çiçek 2, Angela M. Cicia 3 and James A. Sulikowski 3
Round 1
Reviewer 1 Report
- I suggest the following title: Age and growth of the Lusitanian cownose ray, Rhinoptera marginata, from Iskenderun Bay, Turkey, Mediterranean Sea
- The objective of this study was to calculate age and growth rates of Lusitanian cownose ray, Rhinoptera marginata, from Iskenderun Bay, Turkey, Mediterranean Sea.
- Abstract: A lack of basic biological data and high fishing pressure threat the population of the Lusitanian cownose ray (Rhinoptera marginata) in the Mediterranean Sea. In order to provide a baseline life history data, we estimated age and growth based on vertebral column band counts of 224 rays……
- Include in abstract the body size range and weight range for total sample and per sex.
- Line 21 in abstract, …were 9 years for males and 19 years for females.
- Line 46 of Introduction, edit suggestion: Age is an important variable to understand the population condition since it provides basic information to determine growth and mortality rates. Also, a lack of age and growth information precludes finding adequate fishery management regulations.
- In Material and methods, please, explain why a Krusal-Wallis test was used to compare marginal increments. Did authors do a data transformation first?
- In Material and methods, line 104, it must be then instead of than and determined instead of determine, and with and without…data
- Line 109, it must be where instead of whereas
- For Fig. 1, I recommend switching colorations so gray for the land and white for the sea.
- 2 requires a scale bar.
- In Results, include body size and weight range for all 224 individuals and also pero sex (males and females), as this latter was done.
- Fig 4, indicated that marginal increment is in centimeters (cm)
- Fig 5 and Fig. 6, remove from legend “capture withi”…
- In Discussion, I suggest the following edit for the first sentence: This study is the first describing the age and growth of the Lusitanian cownose ray, Rhinoptera marginata, in the Mediterranean Sea. A strong linear relation between the centrum diameter and DW indicates the vertebra provided a continuous record of body growth and vertebra is a suitable structure for age interpretation in both sexes.
- Table 3 must be edited by removing horizontal lines and just keeping the horizontal lines of heading and the below the last species.
- In the section 5.Conclusions, remove the first words and just keep: This study indicated….
- In the 5. Conclusions section remove the recommendation “size at 50% maturity and reproductive cycles should be investigated in the future”
Author Response
Dear Reviewer,
Thank you very much for your valuable comments and corrections. All corrections were completed on the text except the title.
Title : Due to it is the first age and growth study on this species in the Mediterranean, we didnot change the title.
- Include in abstract the body size range and weight range for total sample and per sex. (Done)
- Line 21 in abstract, …were 9 years for males and 19 years for females. (Done)
- Line 46 of Introduction, (edited suggestion)
- a Krusal-Wallis test was used to compare marginal increments In Material and methods due to the data did not show normal distribution.
- In Material and methods, line 104, it must be then instead of than and determined instead of determine, and with and without…data (DONE)
- Line 109, it must be where instead of whereas (DONE)
- For Fig. 1, I recommend switching colorations so gray for the land and white for the sea. (DONE)
- Fig 4, indicated that marginal increment is in centimeters (cm). (It is Ratio)
- Fig 5 and Fig. 6, remove from legend “capture withi”… (DELETED)
- In Discussion, I suggest the following edit for the first sentence: (REVISED)
- Table 3 must be edited by removing horizontal lines and just keeping the horizontal lines of heading and the below the last species. (CHANGED)
- In the section 5.Conclusions, remove the first words and just keep: This study indicated…. (DONE)
- In the 5. Conclusions section remove the recommendation “size at 50% maturity and reproductive cycles should be investigated in the future” (REMOVED)
Author Response File: 
Author Response.docx
Reviewer 2 Report
The present study provides relevant information of age and growth of the cownose ray (Rhinoptera marginata) from Iskenderum Bay, Turkey, Mediterranean Sea. This basic biological information is key to assess the population of this species. To do that, 224 specimens (170 females and 54) were analysed. Unfortunately, the unequal samples size for both sexes could affects statistical results and comparisons. Despite that, the parameters of von Bertalanffy models are coherent if we compared with other species (see Table 3).
Additional doubts, suggestions and comments are included, please see below.
Abstract:
Lines 15-24: authors said “basic biological information is threatening the sustainability of the rare Lusitanian”…To be sustainability, a fishery must be stablished. Do the authors consider that there is a directed fishery for this species?, please explain it.
Introduction:
Can this species be considered to have an established population in the study area? Or is it a migration point?, please explain is in this section.
What is the classification of this species according to IUCN RED LIST?, please add it.
Material and Methods
Why were the specimens not classified according to their maturity scale ?
Results
This section is well described.
Discussion
Considering the age and growth results of present study, Can R. marginata be considered especially vulnerable? Please discuss it.
Author Response
Dear Reviewer,
Thank you very much for your valuable comments and corrections. We agree for all corrections.
Abstract:
Lines 15-24: authors said “basic biological information is threatening the sustainability of the rare Lusitanian”…To be sustainability, a fishery must be stablished. Do the authors consider that there is a directed fishery for this species?, please explain it. (They are non-target species, such as some other stingray species, have ecological significance).
Introduction:
Can this species be considered to have an established population in the study area? Or is it a migration point?, please explain is in this section.
(Very little is known about any migratory behaviour of the Lusitanian cownose ray in the Mediterranean Sea. But we know that the most studied Rhinoptera species R. bonasus display migratory behaviour in its native geographical distribution. Our guess is that the Lusitanian cownose ray is distributed in a very wide range in the Mediterranean Sea. In an earlier study, Tirasin and Basusta (2018) found a total of 129 individual rays within a school formation very close to the present study area. Of the 129 specimens, 89 were female and 40 were male. When dissected, 36 female fish were found to be gravid, each bearing one near-term embryo. The authors after presenting a great deal of information and discussing the findings with other relevant publications concluded that the incidental catch of such a big number of fish, including many gravid specimens with near-term embryos and mature males together in one single haul, suggested that the rays were in a schooling formation when they were captured. The males may have been following the females so that they maximise their chances of mating with them soon after parturition. They also argued that the location of the haul in Mersin Bay, a marine area in the vicinity of the estuaries of two rivers, the Tarsus and Seyhan, and its relative closeness to the sampling location of the neonate in Iskenderun Bay prompts a hypothesis that these fish may be using this region as a reproduction and nursery area. The Yumurtalık Bight and the estuaries of big rivers such as the Seyhan and Ceyhan are likely candidates for a Lusitanian cownose ray nursery ground in the north-eastern Mediterranean. There are also previous observations of neonates, small juveniles and gravid females (N. Basusta, pers. obs.) in this region which provide additional support for this proposition.)
What is the classification of this species according to IUCN RED LIST?, please add it.(ADDED)
Material and Methods
Why were the specimens not classified according to their maturity scale ?
(Because it was not reproduction study, we didnot classify.)
Results
This section is well described.
Discussion
Considering the age and growth results of present study, Can R. marginata be considered especially vulnerable? Please discuss it. (Present findings clearly indicate that like many other ray species, the Lusitanian cownose rays are also slow growing fish with a long-life span. In addition, its delayed age of maturation and very low fecundity (Tirasin and Basusta, 2018), make this species extremely susceptible to fisheries exploitation and therefore the species is in urgent need of conservation and protection. This study is the first describing the age and growth of the Lusitanian cownose ray, Rhinoptera marginata, in the Mediterranean Sea.)
Author Response File: Author Response.docx
Reviewer 3 Report
Review
Paper title: First Estimates of Age and Growth of the Lusitanian Cownose Ray (Rhinoptera marginata) from the Mediterranean Sea
The authors conducted a field study to collect Lusitanian Cownose Rays and reveal some growth patterns in this rare species. The authors provided the first estimates of size-at-age data and concluded that the von Bertalanffy growth model adequately describes the results of field surveys. The authors' results may have important implications for conservation and management of Rhinoptera marginata in the Mediterranean Sea
All these reasons explain the relevance of the paper by Nuri BaÅŸusta and co-authors submitted to "JMSE".
General scores.
The data presented by the authors are original and significant. The study is correctly designed and the authors used appropriate collecting methods. In general, the statistical analyses are performed with good technical standards. The authors conducted careful work that may attract the attention of a wide range of specialists focused on fish biology.
Recommendations.
The authors should compare disc width (DW) and weight (W) between males and females at ages 5–8 using ANOVA or KWT. This may be useful to make a preliminary conclusion about the existence of sexual dimorphism in this species and update the discussion (L 210).
Specific comments.
L 18. Change “suggests” to “suggest”
L 51. Change “was to establish age, growth” to “цуку to establish age and growth”
L 61. Change “were then soaked” to “were soaked”
L 64. Change “form each” to “from each”
L 64. Change “subsquently” to “subsequently”
L 67. Change “photographed using” to “photographed using a”
L 72. Change “age-bias” to “age bias”
L 105. Change “Functions” to “Function”
L 109. Change “whereas,” to “where”
L 133. Change “about each” to “for each”
L 153. Change “is formed annual” to “is formed annually”
L 160. Change “A mean size at birth of 177.9 mm for female” to “Mean size at birth of 177.9 mm for females”
L 179. Change “growth curved” to “growth curve”
L 180. Change “capture” to “captured”
L 184. Change “growth curved” to “growth curve”
L 184. Change “capture” to “captured”
L 195. Change “for the Lusitanian” to “of the Lusitanian”
L 200. Change “baised” to “biased”
L 205. Change “similar sized” to “similar-sized”
L 210. Change “is sexual dimorphic” to “is sexually dimorphic”
L 212. Change “sex-based” to “sex-specific”
L 213. Change “maximum size” to “maximum sizes”
L 230. Change “attributed to the studies small samples sizes” to “attributed to small sample sizes”
L 233. Change “only a total of seven females” to “only seven females”
L 245. Change “fast growing” to “fast-growing”
L 250. Change “rays is” to “rays are”
L 251. Change “a new market” to “new market”
L 252. Change “life history gaps” to “life-history gaps”
L 256-264. Please, check this section and delete unnecessary text.
Author Response
Dear Reviewer,
Thank you very much for your valuable comments and corrections. We agree for all corrections.
Recommendations.
The authors should compare disc width (DW) and weight (W) between males and females at ages 5–8 using ANOVA or KWT. This may be useful to make a preliminary conclusion about the existence of sexual dimorphism in this species and update the discussion (L 210).
We have compared disc width (DW) and weight (W) between males and females at ages 5–8 using KWT due to the data did not show normal distribution. Firstly; before starting the analysis of the data, the distribution of the data was examined with the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test. Since p <0.05 here, the data did not show normal distribution. There is a significant difference between Disc Width and Weight. The mean rank of females was higher than that of males. In addition, when the arithmetic averages are examined, the average of females is higher than that of males. Therefore, it is possible to say that the existence of sexual dimorphism in this species.
Specific comments.
L 18. Change “suggests” to “suggest” (DONE)
L 51. Change “was to establish age, growth” to “цуку to establish age and growth”(DONE)
L 61. Change “were then soaked” to “were soaked”(DONE)
L 64. Change “form each” to “from each” (DONE)
L 64. Change “subsquently” to “subsequently”(DONE)
L 67. Change “photographed using” to “photographed using a”(DONE)
L 72. Change “age-bias” to “age bias”(DONE)
L 105. Change “Functions” to “Function”(DONE)
L 109. Change “whereas,” to “where” (DONE)
L 133. Change “about each” to “for each” (DONE)
L 153. Change “is formed annual” to “is formed annually” (DONE)
L 160. Change “A mean size at birth of 177.9 mm for female” to “Mean size at birth of 177.9 mm for females” (DONE)
L 179. Change “growth curved” to “growth curve” (DONE)
L 180. Change “capture” to “captured” (DONE)
L 184. Change “growth curved” to “growth curve” (DONE)
L 184. Change “capture” to “captured” (DONE)
L 195. Change “for the Lusitanian” to “of the Lusitanian” (DONE)
L 200. Change “baised” to “biased” (DONE)
L 205. Change “similar sized” to “similar-sized” (DONE)
L 210. Change “is sexual dimorphic” to “is sexually dimorphic” (DONE)
L 212. Change “sex-based” to “sex-specific” (DONE)
L 213. Change “maximum size” to “maximum sizes” (DONE)
L 230. Change “attributed to the studies small samples sizes” to “attributed to small sample sizes” (DONE)
L 233. Change “only a total of seven females” to “only seven females” (DONE)
L 245. Change “fast growing” to “fast-growing” (DONE)
L 250. Change “rays is” to “rays are” (DONE)
L 251. Change “a new market” to “new market” (DONE)
L 252. Change “life history gaps” to “life-history gaps” (DONE)
L 256-264. Please, check this section and delete unnecessary text. (DONE)
Author Response File: Author Response.docx
Round 2
Reviewer 1 Report
- The authors' response file in the platform system is the manuscript itself.
- In the introduction, in line 48, Rhinoptera must be in italics.
- Line 76 must be ....age and growth rates....and in reality it is not the objectives but the objective of of the present study was to determine the age and growth rates...
- The Fig 1 was not changed as I requested. I recommended switching colorations, with gray for the land and white for the sea.
- Line 83, ...morphological measurements including disc width (DW, mm; measured as a straight line distance between the 85 wing tips of the widest portion of the pectoral fins using a metric tape), and also weighed (W, to the 84 nearest g) using a ??
- Mention in materials and methods how did sex rays.
- Lines 228-234 is dealing with information that had to be in Results and it is not a Discussion itself but just the lines 234 to 235.
- Conclusions should include more key findings.
Author Response
Dear Reviewer ,
Thank you very much for your comments and corrections. Corrections were done on the text.
- In the introduction, in line 48, Rhinoptera must be in italics. (DONE)
- Line 76 must be ....age and growth rates....and in reality it is not the objectives but the objective of of the present study was to determine the age and growth rates... (CHANGED)
- The Fig 1 was not changed as I requested. I recommended switching colorations, with gray for the land and white for the sea. (The Fig 1 was changed as you requested. Please check it up carrefully, land is gray and sea is white color).
- Line 83, ...morphological measurements including disc width (DW, mm; measured as a straight line distance between the 85 wing tips of the widest portion of the pectoral fins using a metric tape), and also weighed (W, to the 84 nearest g) using a ?? (DONE)
- Mention in materials and methods how did sex rays.(DONE) Sex was macroscopically determined by the presence (male) or absence (females) of claspers.
- Lines 228-234 is dealing with information that had to be in Results and it is not a Discussion itself but just the lines 234 to 235.(CHANGED)
- Conclusions should include more key findings. (DONE)
Author Response File: 
Author Response.pdf
