Bernard Séret

Taxonomic status of maskrays of the Neotrygon kuhlii species complex (Myliobatoidei: Dasyatidae) with the description of three new species from the Indo-West Pacific

The bluespotted maskray, Neotrygon kuhlii (Müller & Henle, 1841), once thought to be widely distributed in the Indo-West Pacific, consists of a complex of several species and the type series consists of multiple species; its nomenclature is discussed. A lectotype and paralectotype are designated and the species rediagnosed based on the types and a fresh specimen from Honiara (Solomon Islands), near to the collection locality of the lectotype (Vanikoro, Solomon Islands). Molecular and morphological data provide confirmatory evidence that this maskray is distinct from some other regional forms. Three members of the complex from the Western Pacific identified in earlier studies are confirmed to be new species; Neotrygon australiae sp. nov. (Australia, New Guinea and eastern Indonesia), N. caeruleopunctata sp. nov. (Indian Ocean), and N. orientale sp. nov. (North-West Pacific). These species differ from each other and N. kuhlii in their adult size, anterior angle of the disc, number and distribution of blue spots on the dorsal disc, and other more subtle morphometric and meristic characters. Another largely plain-coloured Neotrygon, also currently misidentified as N. kuhlii, is sympatric with N. orientale sp. nov. in the South China Sea and off Taiwan. Neotrygon varidens (Garman) is resurrected as the valid name for this ray. A key is provided to species of the genus.

A new species of guitarfish, Rhinobatos borneensis sp. nov. with a redefinition of the family-level classification in the order Rhinopristiformes (Chondrichthyes: Batoidea)

A new guitarfish, Rhinobatos borneensis sp. nov., is described from material collected at fish markets in Malaysian Borneo (South China Sea). This ray, which is almost plain coloured with faint orange blotches in adults, has a more colourful embryo marked with small pale ocelli with dark centres. Confused with R. schlegelii (Japan to Taiwan) and its junior synonym R. formosensis, new molecular data suggests it is more closely related to a subgroup of Rhinobatos from the Indo-Malay Archipelago that includes R. jimbaranensis, R. sainsburyi and R. whitei. Based on evidence from recent phylogenetic studies, the genus Rhinobatos is non-monophyletic, nor is the Rhinobatidae a monophyletic family-level group. Former subgenera of Rhinobatos, Acroteriobatus and Glaucostegus, are valid genus-level taxa supported by both morphological and molecular evidence. Moreover, amphi-American members of Rhinobatos, assigned herein to a new genus Pseudobatos, are not monophyletic with Rhinobatos, Acroteriobatus and Glaucostegus and its position within the newly erected order Rhinopristiformes needs to be reassessed. Several molecular studies have suggested that the family Rhinobatidae is polyphyletic and needs to be redefined. We propose a revised classification of the order Rhinopristiformes based on molecular analyses and supported by morphological data, making strong use of oronasal morphology. The group now contains 5 family-level taxa: three valid nominal taxa, Pristidae (2 genera, 5 species), Rhinidae (incorporating Rhynchobatidae, 2 genera, 9 species), Rhinobatidae (3 genera, 31 species); and two new taxa, Glaucostegidae (single genus, 6 species) and Trygonorrhinidae (3 genera, 8 species).

A new species of electric ray of the genus Narcine Henle, 1834 from the south-western Indian ocean (Chondrichthyes: Torpediniformes: Narcinidae)

A new species of electric ray of the genus Narcine Henle, 1834 is described from seven specimens collected from two localities off the western coast of Madagascar, in the Moçambique Channel. Narcine insolita, sp. nov. is distinguished from all other species of the genus by the unique presence of a very prominent first dorsal fin that is much greater than the second dorsal fin in both height and length of base. A unique combination of characters further distinguishes N. insolita, including large and bulging eyes, large circular spiracles with elevated rims, interorbital distance much greater than interspiracular distance, rounded cusplets lateral to principal cusp on teeth of inner tooth rows, broadly rounded tooth bands, dorsal colouration composed of a yellowish brown background with large dark brown to reddish brown blotches at disc margins and over dorsal and caudal fins, and numbers of precaudal and total vertebral centra. N. insolita is similar but distinct from the recently described Narcine oculifera from the Gulfs of Oman and Aden, with which it is compared. An additional specimen of Narcine from the coast of Moçambique also presents features in common with our new species. However, it is not currently included in N. insolita, because it lacks its autapomorphic dorsal fin proportions. This specimen probably represents a further undescribed species of Narcine from the south-western Indian Ocean, but more specimens from Moçambique are required for further evaluation. The new species represents only the third described species of Narcine from the western Indian Ocean.

Records of anglerfishes (Lophiiformes: Lophiidae) from the western South Pacific Ocean, with descriptions of two new species

Species of Lophiidae collected from the western South Pacific Ocean are examined. Nine nominal species are recognized, all but one species with their distributions extended eastwards and southwards from the western Pacific Ocean. Two new species are described from Polynesia. Lophiodes iwamotoi n. sp. is described from five specimens collected from Savannah Seamount. It is characterized by a relatively long third dorsal-fin spine (56.9-70.8% standard length, L(S)) that extends (when retracted) to between the end of the soft dorsal fin and caudal-fin base; a relatively short fifth dorsal-fin spine (10.5-13.1% L(S)); a relatively short and narrow head; 19-20 pectoral-fin rays. Lophiodes maculatus n. sp. is described from 20 specimens collected from Marquesas Islands. It is characterized by an extremely long third dorsal-fin spine (71.9-87.2% L(S)), extending well beyond the caudal-fin base; a relatively short fifth dorsal-fin spine (11.4-16.5% L(S)); 17-18 pectoral-fin rays. A key to the lophiids in the western South Pacific Ocean is provided.

Distribution pattern of Galeus atlanticus in the Alborán Sea (south western Mediterranean) and some sexual character comparison with Galeus melastomus

Abstract Galeus atlanticus is a small-sized deepwater catshark living on the slope bottom of the Alborán Sea. Given its external similarities with Galeus melastomus, both species are often confused, which makes G. atlanticus a very poorly understood species both in terms of catches and biological aspects. For this study, a total of 741 G. atlanticus specimens, caught during scientific surveys from 1997 to 2003, were analysed. The distributional patterns were described and the reproductive status estimated. Galeus atlanticus occurred throughout the Alborán Sea, between the Strait of Gibraltar and Cape Gata, including the slope of the Island of Alborán. Its bathymetric range extended from 330 to 790 m and no size–depth trends have been observed. Mature specimens, both males and females, were caught in all seasons of the year. Size at first maturity was significantly different between sexes, with estimates of 32.9 cm for males and 36.9 cm for females. The differential growth of some secondary sexual characteristics, such as clasper length in males and oviducal gland diameter in females, were compared with those of G. melastomus.

A new Eastern Central Atlantic skate Raja parva sp. nov. (Rajoidei: Rajidae) belonging to the Raja miraletus species complex.

An investigation of combined CO1 and NADH2 data for rajid skates referable to Raja miraletus provided evidence that populations ranging from southern Africa to the North-East Atlantic and Mediterranean Sea, once considered to represent a cline, belong to a species complex consisting of at least four valid species. Raja miraletus appears to be confined to the Mediterranean Sea, and the North-East Atlantic from the Bay of Biscay south to Morocco and Madeira. The southernmost species, referable to the resurrected Raja ocellifera, occurs off southern Africa, off Namibia and from False Bay to Durban (South Africa). Two species occur off tropical West Africa, including Raja parva sp. nov. (Senegal, Liberia and Angola but is probably more widespread within the region), and another unidentified species needing further investigation. Raja cf. miraletus, confirmed from Mauritania and Senegal, appears to be a larger skate with a broader disc, more broadly pointed snout, larger spiracles, and a slightly longer and broader tail. Raja parva sp. nov. differs from nominal members of the complex in having an unusually long procaudal tail (exceeding 22% TL), as well as a combination of other external characters. Past investigators observed morphological and anatomical differences between these forms but these were thought to be due to intraspecific variability. They postulated that an upwelling at Cape Blanco (21°N) may have isolated the Mediterranean form (R. miraletus) from Mauritania-Senegal form (now known to be two species). Similarly, the Benguela Current and upwelling off Cape Frio (18°S) were thought to be responsible for separating the Angolan form (R. parva) and South African form (R. ocellifera).

Taxonomic observations on stingrays of the genus Dasyatis (Chondrichthyes: Dasyatidae) in the Gulf of Gabès (Southeastern Mediterranean Sea)

Four species of stingrays of the genus Dasyatis occur in the Gulf of Gabès, but the taxonomic status of one of them, D. tortonesei has been questioned by several authors, and synonymized with D. pastinaca by some. The present study, using morphological comparisons and genetic analyses, demonstrates that there is a closely related species to D. pastinaca in the Gulf of Gabès, but distinguishable by several characters. This species is provisionally identified as Dasyatis cf. tortonesei, pending a more extensive comparative study including specimens from other regions of the Mediterranean Sea and eastern North Atlantic Ocean.

Zanobatus maculatus , a new species of panray from the Gulf of Guinea, eastern central Atlantic (Elasmobranchii: Batoidea: Zanobatidae)

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.

Sharks and rays of Australia

This monumental work is the second, revised edition of the successful faunal guide on sharks, rays and chimaeras of Australia. The first edition appeared in 1994, and the present one was released on 2 March 2009. The 2009 edition includes 322 species of sharks, rays and chimaeras occurring in the Australian waters. The 80 species left unnamed in the 1994 edition have been described since, mainly in three CSIRO Research Papers (no. 14, Descriptions of new dogfishes of the genus Squalus (Squaloidea: Squalidae) in 2007, no. 21, Descriptions of New Australian Skates (Batoidea: Rajoidei) and no. 22, Descriptions of New Australian Chondrichthyans, in 2008). A comparison of the two editions is provided in the Appendix: 107 new species names including the 80 unnamed ones of the 1994 edition and 27 new species discovered since 1994. Also, 40 species were reidentified or presented in new combinations.