Scientists at the University of Tasmania’s Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies (IMAS) have successfully hatched a baby Maugean skate from an egg laid in captivity for the first time ever.
The achievement marks a significant milestone in the conservation efforts for this ancient and endangered species, which has experienced steep population declines in Macquarie Harbour, its last known habitat.
IMAS researcher Professor Jayson Semmens said the team have been working around the clock since an adult female skate was brought into captivity in December last year.
“Successfully producing our first hatchling from a captive-laid egg for this very unique skate is really something to celebrate and it’s a significant step towards conserving the species,” he said.
“The adult female has been laying eggs since her arrival last December, two at a time, every four days on average and has produced over 100 eggs to date.”
The eggs take around seven months to develop, with scientists now preparing for more hatchlings to make an appearance “any time now”.
The IMAS team also brought 50 wild-laid eggs into captivity in December, with over half of those viable and producing healthy hatchlings.
“Since December, the program has evolved quickly from simply knowing if we can safely hold skate and their eggs, to confirming that not only can this be done, but captive females can rapidly contribute to the number of eggs in captivity,” IMAS researcher Dr David Moreno said.
“We also have a captive male, but interestingly it is not the father of the new hatchling. Instead, the female is fertilising her eggs with sperm she’s stored from previously mating in Macquarie Harbour, so this sperm could come from several males.”
The team are now hoping the pair will mate soon, with “courtship behaviour” having been observed in recent days.
