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Sequences of the mitochondrial gene COI (DNA Barcode) were used to identify species of rays and skates commercialized in fishmongers in Brazil. The comparisons of the obtained sequences with previously published data available in NCBI and BOLD showed that the fish products corresponded to four species, Hypanus dipterurus, Potamotrygon motoro, Paratrygon ajereba and Gymnura altavela, the last of which is classified as vulnerable according to the IUCN Red List and therefore should not be marketed in accordance with the MMA ordinance 445/2015., Highlights • Genetic markers used in the identification of fishery products. • Methods showed effective to identified fish species. • Marketing of fishery products with changed identity. • The control of commercialized rays can be done by applying the DNA barcode technique. • DNA Barcode was applied in the genetic identification of endangered species.

There is a vital necessity to provide more biological data on rays and sharks to promote efficient conservation. In this study, we assembled a database of weekly sightings to describe temporal (seasonal) patterns in the presence of elasmobranchs within an urban, semi-enclosed, landscape (Las Canteras beach, Gran Canaria Island, eastern Atlantic). Data also provided insight into their habitat use and population structure. From October 2015 to October 2018, eight species, either endangered or “data deficient” according to the IUCN red list, were reported, including: the common eagle ray, Myliobatis aquila, the common stingray, Dasyatis pastinaca, the round stingray, Taeniurops grabatus, the spiny butterfly ray, Gymnura altavela, the bull ray, Aetomylaeus bovinus, the angel shark, Squatina squatina, the marbled electric ray, Torpedo marmorata and the hammerhead shark, Sphyrna zygaena. All species were predominantly observed at night. The species varied in their habitat use; D. pastinaca, G. altavela and S. squatina dominated in sandy and mixed bottoms, while M. aquila and T. grabatus were mostly found in rocky and mixed bottoms. Both D. pastinaca and T. grabatus did not show any seasonal pattern, with consistent records all year around. In contrast, M. aquila, G. altavela and S. squatina showed some degree of seasonality. For five species, small-sized individuals were observed. If semi-enclosed embayments at oceanic islands, under intense human presence, are used by juveniles of endangered rays and sharks, proper management, e.g. limitation of putative human interactions, need to be considered to avoid disturbances.