[Ichthyology • 2018] Conserving the Evolutionary History of Sharks, Rays and Chimaeras (Chondrichthyes)

A representative taxon-complete tree with phylogenetic distribution of molecular data coverage.

Stein, Mull, Kuhn, et al. 2018.  

@DrSharkBrain || DOI: 10.1038/s41559-017-0448-4

Abstract

In an era of accelerated biodiversity loss and limited conservation resources, systematic prioritization of species and places is essential. In terrestrial vertebrates, evolutionary distinctness has been used to identify species and locations that embody the greatest share of evolutionary history. We estimate evolutionary distinctness for a large marine vertebrate radiation on a dated taxon-complete tree for all 1,192 chondrichthyan fishes (sharks, rays and chimaeras) by augmenting a new 610-species molecular phylogeny using taxonomic constraints. Chondrichthyans are by far the most evolutionarily distinct of all major radiations of jawed vertebrates—the average species embodies 26 million years of unique evolutionary history. With this metric, we identify 21 countries with the highest richness, endemism and evolutionary distinctness of threatened species as targets for conservation prioritization. On average, threatened chondrichthyans are more evolutionarily distinct—further motivating improved conservation, fisheries management and trade regulation to avoid significant pruning of the chondrichthyan tree of life.

A representative taxon-complete tree with phylogenetic distribution of molecular data coverage. Clades are shaded according to molecular data coverage within each order, and those species with molecular data are indicated by outer ticks. Red dots highlight nodes defining orders, with the paraphyletic order Rhinopristiformes delimited by two highly supported nodes. 

R. William Stein, Christopher G. Mull, Tyler S. Kuhn, Neil C. Aschliman, Lindsay N. K. Davidson, Jeffrey B. Joy, Gordon J. Smith, Nicholas K. Dulvy and Arne O. Mooers. 2018. Global Priorities for Conserving the Evolutionary History of Sharks, Rays and Chimaeras. Nature Ecology & Evolution. 2; 288–298. DOI: 10.1038/s41559-017-0448-4

 twitter.com/DrSharkBrain/status/954024295537233922

Saving sharks with trees: researchers aim to save key branches of shark and ray tree of life phy.so/436013572   @physorg_com

[Ichthyology • 2016] Three New Stingrays (Myliobatiformes: Dasyatidae) from the Indo–West Pacific; Himantura australis, Taeniura lessoni & Telatrygon biasa

 Taeniura lessoni  

Last, White & Naylor, 2016  

  DOI:  10.11646/zootaxa.4147.4.2 

Abstract

Three undescribed stingrays were discovered as part of a broader revision of the family Dasyatidae that formed part of the Chondrichthyan Tree of Life project. This research forms part of a sequence of papers on rays aimed at describing unnamed species for inclusion in a multi-authored guide to rays of the world. The first part of this series focused on a redefinition of genera of the family Dasyatidae. The new Indo–West Pacific taxa are represented by separate genera from three dasyatid subfamilies: Himantura australis sp. nov. (northern Australia and Papua New Guinea), Taeniura lessoni sp. nov. (Melanesia) and Telatrygon biasa sp. nov. (Indo–Malay Archipelago).

Himantura australis sp. nov., which belongs to a complex of four closely related reticulate whiprays, differs subtly from its congeners in coloration, morphometrics and distribution. Taeniura lessoni sp. nov. is the second species in a genus containing the widely-distributed T. lymma, which is possibly the most abundant stingray in shallow coral-reef habitats of the Indo–Pacific, with the new species apparently restricted to Melanesia. Taeniura lessoni sp. nov. is distinguishable by the absence of a distinctive pair of vivid blue longitudinal stripes on the dorsolateral edges of the tail which is one of the most distinctive features of T. lymma. Telatrygon biasa sp. nov. belongs to a small, recently designated genus of stingrays represented by four species in the tropical Indo-West Pacific. Telatrygon biasa sp. nov. differs from these species in morphometrics. The new species differs markedly from T. zugei in its NADH2 sequence. Telatrygon crozieri is resurrected as a valid northern Indian Ocean representative of the T. zugei complex.

Keywords: Pisces, Dasyatidae, Himantura australis, Taeniura lessoni, Telatrygon biasa, Telatrygon crozieri, new species, Indo–West Pacific

Peter R. Last, William T. White and Gavin Naylor. 2016. Three New Stingrays (Myliobatiformes: Dasyatidae) from the Indo–West Pacific. Zootaxa. 4147(4);  DOI:  10.11646/zootaxa.4147.4.2

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Taeniura lessoni - A New Species of Blue-spotted Stingray https://reefs.com/2016/08/05/taeniura-lessoni-new-species-blue-spotted-stingray/ via @reefscom

New species of rays found in our oceans http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/news-story/2a55704ace12431f32f27c39bd62e62a

[Ichthyology • 2016] Zanobatus maculatus • A New Species of Panray (Elasmobranchii: Batoidea: Zanobatidae) from the Gulf of Guinea, eastern central Atlantic

 Zanabatus maculatus 

 Séret, 2016 

  DOI:  10.11646/zootaxa.4161.4.2

Abstract

A new species of panray, Zanabatus maculatus sp. nov., is described from 12 type specimens collected in the Gulf of Guinea (Eastern Central Atlantic). The new species is distinguished from its sympatric congener, the striped panray Zanobatus schoenleinii, by its smaller size, heavier thorn pattern, spearhead-shaped dermal denticles and maculate colour pattern.

Keywords: Pisces, Zanobatidae, Zanobatus maculatus, new species, maculate panray, Gulf of Guinea, eastern central Atlantic

   

Bernard Séret. 2016. Zanobatus maculatus, A New Species of Panray from the Gulf of Guinea, eastern central Atlantic (Elasmobranchii: Batoidea: Zanobatidae).
Zootaxa. 4161(4); 509–522. DOI:  10.11646/zootaxa.4161.4.2

twitter.com/WillWhitesharks/status/773754533159632896

[Ichthyology • 2016] Genetic and Phenotypic Diversity in the Wedgefish Rhynchobatus australiae, A Threatened Ray of High Value in the Shark Fin Trade

Fig. 7. Examples of colour variation in Rhynchobatus australiae for the most common combination of phenotypic variables in 3 specimens of increasing size (phenotype A, bottom and middle; phenotype C, top)

DOI: 10.3354/meps11617

Abstract

Rhynchobatus spp. (wedgefishes) are large benthopelagic shark-like rays with fins that are highly prized in the international shark fin trade. They are among the most threatened groups of sharks and rays globally. While Rhynchobatus spp. are known to be under considerable fishing pressure as a group, taxonomic confusion among species within the genus has compromised species-specific fishery and demographic data that are urgently needed for developing effective management strategies. Rhynchobatus australiae (Whitley, 1939) is a large Indo-West Pacific species reaching 2 to 3 m that is classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List. This study combines new empirical data from field surveys with data obtained from verified reference specimens to investigate genetic and phenotypic variation in R. australiae and its relative incidence in fisheries. R. australiae dominated Rhynchobatus catch in fisheries surveys across Southeast Asia, and was the most commonly recorded species of the genus in Australia (94% and 58% of captures respectively, n = 207). Study specimens were consistent with a single species with moderate spatial mtDNA variation (ΦST = 0.198, p < 0.0001). We show that R. australiae can be reliably differentiated from other Indo-Pacific species with nadh2 (1044bp), and a section of the control region (456bp) short enough to amplify DNA from processed fins in international trade. We document aspects of morphological variability to assist in the description of external characters that differentiate this species. This is the first range-wide intraspecific study on any wedgefish species, and provides the most complete synthesis of mtDNA data to date for identifying Rhynchobatus fins in the global shark fin trade.

KEY WORDS: Wedgefishes · Rays · Shark fin trade · Phylogeography · Southeast Asia

Fig. 7. Examples of colour variation in Rhynchobatus australiae for the most common combination of phenotypic variables in 3 specimens of increasing size (phenotype A, bottom and middle; phenotype C, top) 

  Jenny L Giles, Cynthia Riginos, Gavin Naylor, Dharmadi Dharmadi and Jennifer Robyn Ovenden. 2016. Genetic and Phenotypic Diversity in the Wedgefish Rhynchobatus australiae, A Threatened Ray of High Value in the Shark Fin Trade. Marine Ecology Progress Series. 548. DOI: 10.3354/meps11617

ResearchGate.net/publication/291530509_Genetic_and_phenotypic_diversity_in_the_wedgefish_Rhynchobatus_australiae_a_threatened_ray_of_high_value_in_the_shark_fin_trade

[Ichthyology • 2016] Rhynchorhina mauritaniensis • A New Genus and Species of Wedgefish (Elasmobranchii: Batoidea: Rhinidae) from the eastern central Atlantic

Rhynchorhina mauritaniensis 

Séret & Naylor, 2016    DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4138.2.4

Abstract

A new wedgefish, Rhynchorhina mauritaniensis gen. et sp. nov., is described from three specimens collected in the shallow waters of the shoal “Banc d’Arguin”, off Mauritania (Eastern Central Atlantic). The new genus is mainly distinguished from its close relatives, members of the genus Rhynchobatus, by its snout shape, more broadly rounded like that of the shark-ray Rhina ancylostoma, instead of being typically wedge-shaped as in Rhynchobatus species. The new species resembles the common West African wedgefish, Rhynchobatus lubberti, in having a similar colour pattern, but differs in snout shape. The new genus is supported as genetically distinct by comparative analysis of the mitochondrial NADH2 gene.

Keywords: Pisces, Rhinidae, Rhynchobatus mauritaniensis, new genus and species, false shark ray, eastern central Atlantic

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B. Séret and G.J.P. Naylor. 2016. Rhynchorhina mauritaniensis, A New Genus and Species of Wedgefish from the eastern central Atlantic (Elasmobranchii: Batoidea: Rhinidae). Zootaxa. 4138(2); 291-308. DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4138.2.4

ToDropScience.tumblr.com/post/147596621212/this-strange-false-shark-ray-rhynchorhina

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[Ichthyology • 2014] Rhinobatos whitei • A New Shovelnose Ray (Batoidea: Rhinobatidae) from the Philippine Archipelago

Rhinobatos whitei 

Last, Corrigan & Naylor, 2014
 DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.3872.1.3

Abstract

A new shovelnose ray, Rhinobatos whitei sp. nov., is described from material collected at fish markets of the southern Philippines. This ray was first formally indentified as an undescribed species more than a decade ago as part of a WWF funded survey of sharks and rays of the Philippines. It was considered to be most closely related to another shovelnose ray found nearby in the western North Pacific, R. schlegelii, but differs from that species in body shape and aspects of coloration, meristics and morphometry. It differs from all other shovelnose rays of the region in its NADH2 sequence, clustering together with an Indonesian species R. jimbaranensis, and another undescribed species from Borneo.

Keywords: Rhinobatos, Rhinobatidae, new species, Philippines, western Pacific

Rhinobatos whitei 

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Last, P.R., Corrigan, S. & Naylor, G. 2014. Rhinobatos whitei, A New Shovelnose Ray (Batoidea: Rhinobatidae) from the Philippine Archipelago. Zootaxa. 3872 (1): 31–47. 

DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.3872.1.3

[Ichthyology • 2013] Aetobatus narutobiei | Naru Eagle Ray • A New Species of Eagle Ray from the Northwest Pacific: An Example of the Critical Role Taxonomy Plays in Fisheries and Ecological Sciences

Aetobatus narutobiei 

White, Yamaguchi & Furumitsu 2013

Abstract

Recent taxonomic and molecular work on the eagle rays (Family Myliobatidae) revealed a cryptic species in the northwest Pacific. This species is formally described as Aetobatus narutobiei sp. nov. and compared to its congeners. Aetobatus narutobiei is found in eastern Vietnam, Hong Kong, China, Korea and southern Japan. It was previously considered to be conspecific with Aetobatus flagellum, but these species differ in size, structure of the NADH2 and CO1 genes, some morphological and meristic characters and colouration. Aetobatus narutobiei is particularly abundant in Ariake Bay in southern Japan where it is considered a pest species that predates heavily on farmed bivalve stocks and is culled annually as part of a ‘predator control’ program. The discovery of A. narutobiei highlights the paucity of detailed taxonomic research on this group of rays. This discovery impacts on current conservation assessments of A. flagellum and these need to be revised based on the findings of this study.

Vernacular Names: Naru Eagle Ray  

Etymology: The specific name is in allusion to the common name of this species in Japanese waters ‘Naru tobi-ei’ (pronounced ‘Nar-oo tobee-ay’) where this species is particularly common and the focus of much research. ‘Naru’ is in reference to Naru Island, one of the five major islands in the Goto Islands which are part of Nagasaki Prefecture; where the species was first recorded in Japan. ‘Tobi-ei’ is the Japanese name used for eagle rays which translates to black kite (a bird). The name is treated as a noun in apposition.

Aetobatus narutobiei (FFNU-P-2001; holotype). Adult male (831 mm DW).

 Dorsal view and Ventral view

William T. White, Keisuke Furumitsu and Atsuko Yamaguchi. 2013. A New Species of Eagle Ray Aetobatus narutobiei from the Northwest Pacific: An Example of the Critical Role Taxonomy Plays in Fisheries and Ecological Sciences. PLoS ONE. 8(12): e83785. doi: dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0083785

White, William T. & Alec B. M. Moore. 2013. Redescription of Aetobatus flagellum (Bloch & Schneider, 1801), An Endangered Eagle Ray (Myliobatoidea: Myliobatidae) from the Indo–West Pacific. Zootaxa. 3752(1): 199–213.

http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.3752.1.12
http://www.mapress.com/zootaxa/2013/f/zt03752p213.pdf

[Ichthyology • 2013] Redescription of Aetobatus flagellum (Bloch & Schneider, 1801), An Endangered Eagle Ray (Myliobatoidea: Myliobatidae) from the Indo–West Pacific

Abstract

The eagle ray Aetobatus flagellum (Bloch & Schneider, 1801) is redescribed based on new material from the Persian Gulf (Kuwait), Indonesia and Malaysia. A related but distinct species of Aetobatus from the western North Pacific, previously referred to as A. flagellum, is reported. Aetobatus flagellum is a medium-sized eagle ray which attains about 900 mm DW; males mature at approximately 500 mm DW. Aetobatus flagellum appears to be uncommon and restricted to estuary-influenced waters of the Indo–West Pacific. It is caught as gillnet bycatch where its habit of schooling, combined with probable small litter size, may make it particularly vulnerable to impacts from fisheries.

Keywords: Myliobatidae, Aetobatus flagellum, batoid, Indo–West Pacific, Aetobatus sp., estuarine

FIGURE 1. Aetobatus flagellum. A. original illustration from Bloch & Schneider (1801)

White, William T. & Alec B. M. Moore. 2013. Redescription of Aetobatus flagellum (Bloch & Schneider, 1801), An Endangered Eagle Ray (Myliobatoidea: Myliobatidae) from the Indo–West Pacific. Zootaxa. 3752(1): 199–213.

http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.3752.1.12
http://www.mapress.com/zootaxa/2013/f/zt03752p213.pdf