ABSTRACT
Batoids have unique structures to aid in copulation and reproduction. Details of the structure and function of the alkaline and clasper glands can be found in Chapter 11 of this volume.
12.4 COPULATION Mating behavior in elasmobranchs has not frequently been observed (Gudger 1912; Matthews 1950; Dempster and Herald 1961; Myerberg and Gruber 1974; Johnson and Nelson 1978; Klimley 1980; Luer and Gilbert 1985; Tricas and Le Feuvre 1985; Uchida et a/. 1990). Gordon described precopulatory behavior in captive sand tiger sharks (Gordon 1993) and Nordell (1994) reported mating in Urobatis halleri. A detailed presentation of mating behavior in the nurse shark, Ginglymostoma cirratum, may be found in Chapter 5 of this volume.
