Study of sexual dimorphism of the Arabian carpetshark (Chiloscyllium arabicum, Gubanov, 1980) using morphometric characters and some growth parameters in the Hormozgan waters, Persian Gulf

Sexual dimorphism based on morphometric characters and some growth parameters in the Arabian carpet shark, Chiloscyllium arabicum was investigated using 381 collected samples (190 males and 191 females) with the aim of its stock assessment and dynamic population in Persian Gulf for first time. The total length range was between 37.7-70.5 cm (mean of 58.93±6.44 cm) for males and 37.9-75.6 cm (mean of 59.49±8.24 cm) for females. First dorsal fin height was significantly higher in female (P<0.05). Also, all of the morphometric parameters except pre-caudal fin length, pre-second dorsal fin length, pre pelvic-fin length were higher for female sharks (P>0.05). Male and female sharks showed negative and positive allometric growth respectively. Also, the b value of females (3.23) was more than male (2.93) (P<0.05). Asymptotic length (L∞), growth rate (k) and t0 of males were 75.9 cm, 0.93 per year and -0.8; those for females were 75.85 cm, 0.94 per year and -0.79 years respectively. The results derived from data of this study can be useful for determining the strategies to preserve the biodiversity of C. arabicum.