Embryonic diapause at the early stages of development in rays (Myliobatoidei species) as an adaptation strategy to the environment

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The purpose of the present study was to elucidate the effects of global warming on environmental and reproductive adaptation strategies in rays. Thus, we evaluated the following hypothesis: Embryonic diapause in Myliobatoidei species is an adaptive strategy of southern-based species. We collected embryos at each developmental stage and fertilized eggs from six species. We examined these samples in detail and observed that embryonic diapause occurred during the early stages of development in at least four of the six species. These findings may suggest that embryonic diapause serves as an adaptive strategy for species that originate from tropical and sub-tropical regions to overcome the low water temperature condition of temperate regions to increase reproductive success.