No abstract

The present study established the southernmost distribution range for the Chupare stingray Styracura schmardae based on a specimen caught on the easternmost portion of Ceará State, northeastern Brazil. Identification was based on diagnostic morphological characters and molecular data (sequence of the mitochondrial DNA gene nd2; 1046 bp). This record expands the known distribution range for this species by more than 1200 km and confirms that S. schmardae is distributed in more than one biogeographical province. Significance statement There are few records of the Atlantic Chupare stingray for Brazil and most of them are associated with the Amazon River mouth. New records indicate that this species is also present in the South Atlantic portion of the Brazilian coast. Apparently having a low abundance throughout its range, these new records increase the range of occurrence of this species.