Age and growth of the shark, Mustelus higmani (Carcharhiniformes: Triakidae) from Venezuela

Introduction: Mustelus higmani is one of the shark species most commonly caught in the northeastern region of Venezuela; however, this species has been poorly studied. Objective: to evaluate the age and growth of M. higmani on the basis of the optical analysis of vertebrae. Methods: Between August 2016 and July 2017, the vertebral samples were collected in the fishing port of Juan Griego, Margarita Island. The growth study was based on a sample of 238 individuals, 86 males (24.1-59.5 cm TL) and 152 females (24.4-69.5 cm TL) and the use of growth modeling approaches. Results: The RMI analysis indicated an annual periodicity for the deposition of growth rings. Ages assigned varied between 0 and 5 years in males, and between 0 and 6 years in females. The estimates of growth parameters obtained were L∞ = 60.8 cm TL, k = 0.54 years-1 and t0 = -1.04 years in males; and L∞ = 72.4 cm TL, k = 0.40 years-1 and t0 = -1.31 years in females. The ages at maturity and longevities resulted respectively in 2.5 and 6.4 years for males; and in 2.0 and 8.7 years for females. Conclusions: In general, results indicate that M. higmani has a rapid growth, early maturity, short longevity, and continuous reproduction, characterizing it as a biologically productive species. Key words: Caribbean; ecology; elasmobranchs; fishery; sharks.

EL CARIBE Y EL NACIMIENTO DE LA ESCLAVITUD CAPITALISTA

Este trabajo analiza la obra Capitalismo y esclavitud del marxista negro Eric Williams, donde se retan las explicaciones tradicionales sobre el desarrollo del capitalismo al valorar el papel de la esclavitud colonial y la trata negrera. A partir del trabajo de Williams se esboza una interpretación sobre la esclavitud colonial como una nueva forma de esclavitud netamente capitalista forjada en un Caribe global. Palabras claves: Caribe, esclavitud, capitalismo, Eric Williams, marxismo negro. THE CARIBBEAN AND THE BIRTH OF CAPITALIST SLAVERY. NOTES ON THE BLACK MARXISM OF ERIC WILLIAMS This work analyzes the book Capitalism and slavery by the black Marxist Eric Williams, where challenge traditional explanations about the development of capitalism when assessing the role of colonial slavery and the slave trade. Williams’s work outline an interpretation of colonial slavery as a new form of clearly capitalist slavery forged in a global Caribbean. Key Words: Caribbean, Slavery, Capitalism, Eric Williams, Black Marxism.

A morphometric and taxonomic reevaluation of Haenianthus (Oleaceae)

Leaf size and shape, long used to differentiate taxa in Haenianthus, were found to be less useful than previously believed. Nevertheless, two species can be recognized on the basis of leaf shape, H. incrassatus and H. salicifolius. The former species has long petioles, attenuate leaf bases, and thin laminas and is endemic to cloud forests of Jamaica. The latter species, with short petioles, acute to acuminate leaf bases, and thick laminas, has two varieties, H. salicifolius var. salicifolius of Cuba and Haiti, and H. salicifolius var. obovatus of Cuba, Hispaniola, and Puerto Rico. Key words: Caribbean, Haenianthus, morphometric analysis, Oleaceae.