First Mediterranean records of spinetail devil ray, Mobula japanica (Elasmobranchii: Rajiformes: Mobulidae)

Abstract

Capapé C., Rafrafi -Nouira S., El Kamel-Moutalibi O., Boumaïza M., Reynaud C. 2015. First Mediterranean records of spinetail devil ray, Mobula japanica (Elasmobranchii: Rajiformes: Mobulidae). Acta Ichthyol. Piscat. 45 (2): 211-215.Abstract. Captures of 11 spinetail devil rays, Mobula japanica (Müller et Henle, 1841), from the northern coast of Tunisian (central Mediterranean) are reported in the present paper. Of these 11 specimens, fi ve specimens were described. These captures constitute the fi rst records of the species in the Tunisian waters, but also in the Mediterranean Sea, extending its distribution. This unusual occurrence of M. japanica is probably due to a migration from the eastern tropical Atlantic into the Mediterranean Sea through the Strait of Gibraltar.

The giant devil ray Mobula mobular (Bonnaterre, 1788) is not giant, but it is the only spinetail devil ray

“…As a consequence of such uncertainties, the difficulty of distinguishing M. mobular from M. japanica also resulted in confusion about their respective ranges, with the former having been frequently reported outside of the Mediterranean Sea in various North Atlantic locations; such as Ireland, Portugal, Madeira, the Canary islands, West Africa (from Morocco to Senegal), and even Cuba (Notarbartolo di Sciara, 1987). Conversely, M. japanica was reported in the Mediterranean (Rafrafi-Nouira et al, 2015;Capapé et al, 2015;Sakalli et al, 2016). For this reason, several authors recommended that the determination of the ranges of these two nominal species be placed on hold pending a clarification of their taxonomical relationship (Notarbartolo di Sciara, 1987;Notarbartolo di Sciara et al, 2015;Abudaya et al, 2017).…”

First record of Spinetail Devil Ray, Mobula japanica (Müller & Henle 1841) from the Gulf of Antalya

“…2B), Slit-like spiracles above margin of pectoral fin (IOTC and SPC, 2012) (Fig. 2C), tooth cavities not arranged in rows (Capapé et al 2015) (Fig. 2D), distinctive white colouration to the raker filaments tips (CITES 2013) (Fig.…”

“…Specimen was measured, photographed and identified. The identification of species was made diagnostic characteristics described by Notarbartolo di Sciara (1987; 2016); Bonfil and Mohamed (2004); Capapé et al 2015. The lengths (disc width, disc length, total length, etc.)…”

First description of foetus of giant manta ray foetus Mobula birostris (Walbaum 1792) from Kochi, Kerala, Southwest India (North East Arabian Sea)

“…Additionally, the proportions of the body were calculated based on the percentage of the disc width (% DW). The identi cation of species was made according to Notarbartolo di Sciara (1987;; Serena (2005); and Capapé et al (2015). The lengths (disc width, disc length, total length, etc.)…”