The external morphology of the egg capsule of Bythaelurus canescens and its fixation to the substratum are described. Bythaelurus canescens egg capsules are typically vase-shaped, dorso-ventrally flattened, pale yellow in colour when fresh and covered by 12-15 longitudinal ridges. The anterior border of the capsule is straight, whereas the posterior border is semicircular. Two horns bearing long, coiled tendrils arise from the anterior and posterior ends of the capsule. The presence of longitudinal ridges and long coiled tendrils at both anterior and posterior ends of the capsule readily distinguish these egg capsules from those of other chondrichthyans occurring in the south-east Pacific Ocean.

Between 2000 and 2002, three artisanal landing sites were sampled in southern Chile, with data on population structure and reproductive development collected from 5477 yellownose skates Zearaja chilensis. Total length (L(T) ) ranged from 33 to 158 cm for females and 34 to 155 cm for males. No sexual dimorphism was evident in disc size (length or width) or in L(T)-mass relationships. The smallest mature female was 95 cm L(T) and the size at which 50% were mature (L(T50) ) was 109 cm. Males matured between 80 and 90 cm L(T) with a L(T50) of 88 cm. Although the largest Z. chilensis captured by the artisanal fishery was 155 cm L(T) , 89% of landings comprised relatively small, immature fish. This situation may compromise the stock integrity if intrinsic vulnerability and probable long-life span of Z. chilensis are considered. Consequences for the survival of the species and possible signs of a fishery collapse must be reviewed by management authorities by consideration of both artisanal and industrial landings in Chile.

Resumen.-En diciembre de 2005 se recolectaron cápsulas ovígeras de dos hembras de Psammobatis scobina, capturadas en Caleta Montemar, Chile central (32º57'S-71º33'W). La superficie de las cápsulas fue suave y finamente estriada, de color café y translúcida. Además presentaron la típica forma de barril. La longitud central fluctuó entre 35,25 mm y 38,45 mm y su ancho varió entre 25,91 mm y 27,94 mm. La cara dorsal es convexa con respecto a la ventral. Los cuernos anteriores son más cortos que los posteriores, se orientan hacia el interior y se estrechan hasta adquirir forma de zarcillos hacia las puntas. Los zarcillos laterales resultaron ser un carácter diagnóstico entre especies del mismo género en Chile. Esta es la primera descripción de las cápsulas ovígeras de P. scobina, especie endémica para las costas del sur de Sudamérica.

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