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This study was performed on the Gymnura altavela (Linnaeus, 1758), during the period between July 2011- June 2012, in the Syrian coast. A total of 58 examined samples (26 males and 32 females) showed that the size which female start maturation at 701 mm of disk width (DW), while the males start maturation at 682 mm. Females were always larger than males, the largest female and male were 1342 mm, 893 mm (DW), and the total weigh were (20170 g, 5071 g) respectively. G. altavela is a non-placental ovoviviparous species. The female has two ovaries, the left one is active, and the right one is atrophic. Female gestate the embryos in two uteri. Gestation could continue 9-12 months. Ovulation occurs at end of summer and at beginning of autumn, parturition occurs at end of spring and beginning of summer. One reproductive cycle occurs per year. Average of disk width and weight of fully-developed fetuses were 290 mm and 246 g. respectively. Fecundity ranges one to four newborns per litter, embryos and fetuses are symmetrically distributed in two uteruses, with increasing to left one, the ratio was 1:1.2, average of uterine fecundity was (3), average of ovarian fecundity was (6.3).

Lenght – weight relationships (LWRs) were estimated for eight elasmobranchs (five sharks and three batoids) off the Gokceada Island, Northern Aegean Sea. All specimens were collected by commercial bottom trawl at depths ranging from 120–400 m between February and November 2019. A total of 2991 individuals (1143 Scyliorhinus canicula, 110 Scyliorhinus stellaris, 795 Galeus melastomus, 575 Etmopterus spinax, 48 Squalus acanthias, 255 Raja clavata, 29 Raja miraletus, 36 Dipturus oxyrinchus) were sampled and studied. Results showed that most species had positive allometric growth and the values of parameter b ranged between 2.93 and 4.01. Furthermore, five shark (Mustelus asterias, Mustelus mustelus, Centrophorus granulosus, Hexanchus griseus, Oxynotus centrina) and eight batoid species (Dasyatis pastinaca, Gymnura altavela, Pteromylaeus bovinus, Leucoraja naevus, Rostroraja alba, Myliobatis aquila, Torpedo marmorata, Tetronarce nobiliana) were described, yet because they amounted to less than ten, only their respective descriptive statistics were determined.

Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) were determined in Gymnura altavela liver samples from one of the most impacted estuarine environments in the Atlantic Ocean (Guanabara Bay, Brazil). PCBs were the predominant compounds (91.2%) averaging 6773 ± 4659 ng.g−1 lipid weight (lw). DDT, Mirex, HCH and HCB concentrations were 633 ± 715, 6.2 ± 9.3, 3.4 ± 1.4 and 0.5 ± 0.5 ng.g−1 lw, respectively. Recent DDT input in the estuary was minimum, as verified by the p,p′-DDE/∑DDT ratio (0.67). The prevalence of industrial compounds was highlighted by the ΣDDT/ΣPCB ratio (0.08). A negative correlation detected between disc width and PCBs, Mirex and HCH concentrations may be a consequence of maternal offloading. High POP concentrations in G. altavela liver samples from Guanabara Bay suggests that PCBs, in particular, may pressure the conservation of this threatened with extinction tropical estuarine batoid species.

Some fish species compose the so-called bycatch caught by pink shrimp trawling, including elasmobranchs (sharks and rays). The objective of the study was to analyze the stomach contents of the captured and compare the items identified in the literature. The material was requested to the commercial vessels that landed in Guaruja, Sao Paulo, being the study area between Rio de Janeiro and Santa Catarina, from 5 to 75 meters deep. In the laboratory, total length-TL and sexing (shark and ray), fork length-FL (shark), disk width- DW (ray) in centimeters, and total weight- TW in kilograms (shark and ray). For the stomach contents, the Degree of Repletion adjusted (empty and full), the Degree of Digestion (undigested and unidentified), frequency of occurrence (%FO) and the numerical frequency (%FN). Sixty-two specimens were analyzed: 20 rays (seven Atlantoraja castelnaui , five A. cyclophora , five Dasyatis hypostigma , one Myliobatis freminvillei , one Gymnura altavela and one Sympterygia bonapartii ); and 42 sharks (29 Squatina guggenheim and 13 S. occulta ), between June 12 to September 19, 2015 and June 15 to December 29, 2016. Most of the food items had been mentioned in the literature, however others only in this study as : Sycionia sp. and Dactylopterus volitans ( D. hypostigma ); Polydactylus sp., Pogonias cromis and Dactylopterus volitans ( S. guggenheim ); and Porichthys porosissimus ( S. occulta ).

This contribution presents a brief morphometric description of adult females and embryos of the ray Gymnura altavela. Two females, pregnant with a total of five embryos, were captured in Rio de Janeiro, southeastern Brazil, and their morphometry was compared to their respective embryos. The embryos showed higher body proportions (%DW) than adults, regardless of sex, which may be an effect of ontogeny.

Life history strategies of batoid fishes have evolved within dynamic marine ecosystems. Adaptations in reproductive and developmental biology are paramount to the survival of species, and therefore knowledge of growth rates to maturity is fundamental for identifying constraints on the conservation of populations. The butterfly rays (Myliobatiformes: Gymnuridae) are highly derived batoids with generally low reproductive potentials for which age and growth information remains unknown. In this study we applied high-resolution X-ray computed tomography (HRXCT) to vertebral centra from a stingray for the first time to estimate age, and used a multimodel approach to investigate growth of spiny butterfly ray, Gymnura altavela. Estimated ages of the oldest male and female were 11 and 18 yrs. at disk widths (WD) 1355 mm and 2150 mm, respectively. Disk width-at-age data were analyzed using three growth models (von Bertalanffy, logistic, Gompertz), and the most parsimonious and empirically supported model was the logistic function with sex treated as a fixed effect on asymptotic disk width (WD ∞ ) and k parameters. Model parameter estimates were (males) WD ∞ = 1285.46 ± 67.27 mm, k = 0.60 ± 0.10, and (females) WD ∞ = 2173.51 ± 129.78 mm, k = 0.27 ± 0.04. Results indicated sexually dimorphic growth patterns, with males growing faster and reaching asymptotic size at earlier ages than females. These age and growth results are the first reported for the genus, and suggest that G. altavela grows at a similar rate as some teleosts and batoids, and relatively fast among chondrichthyans.

Understanding the diet of marine predators is essential to defining their trophic role in an ecosystem. Elasmobranchs (sharks and batoids) are considered pivotal components of marine food webs, and are often included in the top predator or mesopredator groups. However, in comparison with other Mediterranean areas, research focusing on marine predators inhabiting the Levantine Sea (eastern Mediterranean Sea) is very limited. Here, we examined the feeding habits (diet, trophic width and trophic position) of three endangered batoids (Gymnura altavela (Linnaeus, 1758), Raja asterias Delaroche, 1809 and Raja clavata, Linnaeus, 1758) coexisting in Iskenderun Bay (north-eastern Levantine Sea, Mediterranean Basin) by combining stomach content and stable isotope analyses. The results revealed clear differences in the trophic habits between them. Stomach contents showed differences in the diet between species, showing a clear feeding preference for teleosts in the case of G. altavela and a diet composed of fish and crustaceans in the case of R. asterias and R. clavata. In line with stomach content results, interspecific differences in the isotopic values and trophic levels were found. In particular, G. altavela was isotopically segregated from R. asterias and R. clavata, showing lower isotopic trophic width and higher trophic level. The results of this study provide new insights into the ecological role of these three endangered batoid species in the Levantine Sea and are of crucial importance for management and conservation of these species.

Purpose: To investigate the occurrence and antimicrobial effects of certain biochemical compounds in the epidermal mucus secretions of fish and to demonstrate their potential for biomedical applications.Methods: Crude, aqueous, and acidic epidermal mucus samples were collected from live ray specimens. Gas chromatography and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS) analyses were performed to identify the biochemical compounds present in the mucus. The spectrophotometric broth microdilution method was used to determine the antibacterial and antifungal properties of the mucus extracts. The bacterial strains, Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, Enterococcus faecalis, and Klebsiella pneumonia, were used for the tests, as well as the fungal strains, Candida parapsilosis and Candida albicans.Results: GC/MS analysis revealed the presence of several hydrocarbon-derived compounds in the epidermal mucus of the two ray species. The acidic extract of G. altavela epidermal mucus produced a high MIC value, indicating the highest inhibitory effect of 8.64 μL against E. coli, while the crude extract of G. altavela epidermal mucus (41.13 μL against B. subtilis) was the least effective. Conclusion: Epidermal mucus extracts, especially when acid-based, displays strong antimicrobial properties against all the tested pathogens. These findings suggest the plants possess some potential for the development of novel antimicrobial components for applications in medicine. Keywords: Fish, Ray species, Epidermal mucus, Antimicrobial properties, Bioactive compounds

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.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the morphometric characteristics, growth, mortality and exploitation rate of the spiny butterfly ray (Gymnura altavela Linnaeus, 1758). The study was conducted using 284 specimens from the coastal waters of the Levant Basin (the northeastern Mediterranean). Samples were collected monthly between July 2014 and June 2015 using a bottom trawl from the following depth strata: 0-10m, 10-20m, and 20-50m. The following measurements were taken total length (TL), disc length (DL), disc width (DW) distance from nose tip to eye (NE), nose tip to mouth (NM, cm), width of mouth (MW, cm) where Y is the various dimensions (TL; W; DL; DW; NE; NM; MW, respectively) and X is the total length estimated by linear regression analysis. Length-weight and disc width-weight relationships were W = 0.097 * TL 3.2070 and W = 0.084 * DW 3.169 for total individuals. The von Bertalanffy growth function contained in DW was DW? = 136.50cm K = 0.230 year -1 t 0 =-0.492year -1 for total individuals. The total mortality (Z) was 0.91year -1 , the natural mortality (M) was 0.41year -1, and the fishing mortality (F) was estimated to be 0.51year -1 . The exploitation rate (E) was calculated as 0.55 year -1 for all obtained individuals. © 2018, Agricultural Research Communication Centre. All rights reserved.

The present communication documents the first observation of a morphologic anomaly in a juvenile Spiny Butterfly Ray Gymnura altavela. This observation is interesting for its similarity with a rostral abnormality in an adult G. altavela from the Canary Islands 10 years earlier and with the one from a juvenile Long-tailed Butterfly Ray G. poecilura from the Western Indo-Pacific. Although no firm conclusions can be drawn from these records, it reinforces the hypothesis of a congenital disorder for this type of malformation within the genus. The individual appeared to have successfully adapted for its anomaly, suggesting that these instances are not of major conservation concern. Hence, long-term studies are required to monitor anomaly occurrences and to evaluate their potential threats.

Submitted by Boris Flegr (boris@uerj.br) on 2021-01-07T14:47:07Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertacao Larissa Paiva 2015.pdf: 1816028 bytes, checksum: 68bf505de26517733d8e3eee1c076199 (MD5) Made available in DSpace on 2021-01-07T14:47:07Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertacao Larissa Paiva 2015.pdf: 1816028 bytes, checksum: 68bf505de26517733d8e3eee1c076199 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015-08-28 Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior In recent years, issues involving the storage of elasmobranchs have received increased attention in many countries. Mainly due to fishing pressure, many species now considered endangered by the IUCN, prompting the need for fisheries management and development of management plans. Persistent Organic Pollutants the match longer a threat to this group of fish, however, studies involving the contamination of these organisms are recent and have been increasing in recent years. This study aimed to quantify organochlorine compounds in liver from one species of critically endangered the ray, Gymnura altavela, resident in Guanabara Bay, one of estuarine environments more impacted than Brazil. In addition, we investigated the influence of biological factors, such as sexual maturation stage, sex, size and percentage lipid in the parsed matrix over contamination profiles for these xenobiotics. The concentrations of organochlorine compounds were determined using the gas chromatograph with electron capture detector (GC-ECD), the brand Agilent Technologies, model 7890. Our results have shown that polychlorinated bifelinas (PCB) represent the most important class contaminants with an average concentration of 6.772,8 (± 4.659,4) ng.g-1 lipid and the highest concentration was 18.513,1 ng.g-1 lipid in a male young person. Of this total, 66,5% were represented by congeners of PCBs 153> 138> 180> 101> 170. As the number of chlorine atoms, PCBs belong to the class of hexa-chlorinated were the most abundant. The average concentration was ΣDDT 646 (± 722,4) ng.g-1 lipid and the more representative isomer was p,p'- DDE 65,7% of the total. The ΣHCH, HCB and Mirex represented 0.13% of the total contamination in G. altavela and therefore, compounds with the smaller contributions. The reason represented by ΣDDT/ΣPCB formula was 0,09 characterizing a predominance of compounds of industrial origin. The Spearman correlations indicated a decrease in ΣPCB concentrations, ΣHCH and Mirex to grow as individuals. There were no differences in the concentrations for the different stages of sexual maturity and between males and females Nos últimos anos, temas envolvendo a conservação de elasmobrânquios têm recebido maior atenção em muitos países. Muitas espécies passaram a ser consideradas ameaçadas de extinção pela IUCN, demonstrando a necessidade de ordenamento pesqueiro e elaboração de planos de manejo. Os Poluentes Orgânicos Persistentes correspondem a mais uma ameaça para esse grupo de peixes, no entanto, estudos envolvendo a contaminação desses organismos são recentes e vêm aumentando nos últimos anos. O presente estudo teve como objetivo principal a quantificação de compostos organoclorados em tecido hepático de uma espécie de raia criticamente ameaçada raia-borboleta, Gymnura altavela, residente na Baía de Guanabara, um dos ambientes estuarinos mais impactados do Brasil. Além disso, investigouse a influência de fatores biológicos, tais como estágio de maturidade sexual, sexo, tamanho e porcentagem de lipídio na matriz analisada, sobre os perfis de contaminação por esses xenobióticos. As concentrações dos compostos organoclorados foram determinadas com a utilização do cromatógrafo de fase gasosa com detector de captura de elétrons (CG-DCE), da marca Agilent Technologies, modelo 7890. Nossos resultados mostraram que as bifelinas policloradas (PCB) representam a classe mais importante de contaminantes com concentração média de 6.772,8 (± 4.659,4) ng.g-1 de lipídio e a maior concentração foi 18.513,1 ng.g-1 de lipídio em um indivíduo macho e jovem. Desse total, 66,5% foram representados pelos congêneres de PCBs 153>138>180>101>170. Quanto ao número de átomos de cloro, os PCBs pertences à classe dos hexa-clorados foram os mais abundantes. A concentração média do ΣDDT foi 646,0 (± 722,4) ng.g-1 de lipídio e o isômero mais representativo foi o p,p DDE com 65,7% do total. O ΣHCH, o HCB e o Mirex representaram 0,13% da contaminação total em G. altavela sendo, portanto, os compostos com as menores contribuições. A razão representada pela fórmula ΣDDT/ΣPCB foi de 0,09, caracterizando uma predominância de compostos de origem industrial. As correlações de Spearman apontaram para uma diminuição das concentrações do ΣPCB, ΣHCH e Mirex à medida que os indivíduos crescem. Não foram encontradas diferenças nas concentrações em relação aos diferentes estágios de maturidade sexual e entre machos e fêmeas.

□ Gymnura altavela (Linnaeus, 1758) – Spiny butterfly ray; Uge-manta ①, Raia or Andorinha-domar ③, Published as part of Carneiro, Miguel, Martins, Rogélia, Landi, Monica & Costa, Filipe O., 2014, Updated checklist of marine fishes (Chordata: Craniata) from Portugal and the proposed extension of the Portuguese continental shelf, pp. 1-73 in European Journal of Taxonomy 73 on page 16, DOI: 10.5852/ejt.2014.73, http://zenodo.org/record/3866515

Historically, gymnurid rays have not done well in a captive environment. This report describes success in maintaining two specimens of the spiny butterfly ray, Gymnura altavela, in captivity. An aggressive husbandry protocol of tube feeding and force feeding maintained energy levels until the rays began to feed on their own. The rays used their pectoral fins to strike at food items, a behavior they may use in the wild to stun and capture prey. The first estimates of growth in captivity for any species of butterfly ray are given. Growth rates for the male averaged 0.063 mm/day (s.d.=0.030) and 10.253 g/day (s.d.=9.689), whereas growth rates for the female butterfly ray averaged 0.303 mm/day (s.d.=0.215) and 22.777 g/day (s.d.=15.2). Estimates of gross conversion efficiency (Kl) were calculated using the caloric values and known food intake. The estimates of Kl averaged 5.4% (s.d.=3.857) and 16.1% (s.d.=7.511) for the male and female, respectively, with a combined average of 10.8% (s.d.=7.95). These are the first estimates of Kl reported for any species of batoid using direct methods (growth rate and food intake). © 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Some Rajiformes species among the cartilaginous fish (Chondrichthyes) that are distributed on the west coast of the Gulf of İskenderun were seasonally obtained by bottom trawling from 2 different depth layers between the years 2004 and 2011. The spatiotemporal changes in catch per unit effort (CPUE) values were investigated by considering 2 depth contours (10 and 20 m). Six species belonging to 6 different Rajiformes families were identified during the sampling period, including Dasyatis pastinaca (common stingray), Gymnura altavela (spiny butterfly ray), Rhinobatos rhinobatos (common guitarfish), Raja radula (rough ray), Myliobatis aquila (common eagle ray), and Torpedo marmorata (marbled electric ray). A general linear model was used to analyze the changes in the total and separate weights of cartilaginous fish. For this purpose, the logarithms of CPUE values in weight were classed according to the depth, season, and years. Seasonal variations and year-season 2-way interactions were found to be highly significant for total cartilaginous CPUE values (P < 0.01). The annual changes in R. rhinobatos were the only significant annual difference (P < 0.05), while the year-season interactions of D. pastinaca were found to be significant (P < 0.01). The seasonal variations of D. pastinaca and G. altavela were also highly significant (P < 0.01). Some Rajiformes species among the cartilaginous fish (Chondrichthyes) that are distributed on the west coast of the Gulf of İskenderun were seasonally obtained by bottom trawling from 2 different depth layers between the years 2004 and 2011. The spatiotemporal changes in catch per unit effort (CPUE) values were investigated by considering 2 depth contours (10 and 20 m). Six species belonging to 6 different Rajiformes families were identified during the sampling period, including Dasyatis pastinaca (common stingray), Gymnura altavela (spiny butterfly ray), Rhinobatos rhinobatos (common guitarfish), Raja radula (rough ray), Myliobatis aquila (common eagle ray), and Torpedo marmorata (marbled electric ray). A general linear model was used to analyze the changes in the total and separate weights of cartilaginous fish. For this purpose, the logarithms of CPUE values in weight were classed according to the depth, season, and years. Seasonal variations and year-season 2-way interactions were found to be highly significant for total cartilaginous CPUE values (P < 0.01). The annual changes in R. rhinobatos were the only significant annual difference (P < 0.05), while the year-season interactions of D. pastinaca were found to be significant (P < 0.01). The seasonal variations of D. pastinaca and G. altavela were also highly significant (P < 0.01).

Five liver samples of two different ray species (Gymnura altavela and Zapteryx brevirostris) off the coast of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, were analyzed for their pollution with anthropogenic and naturally occurring organohalogen compounds.The samples were extracted with accelerated solvent extraction, and after a clean-up procedure, organohalogen compounds were separated by a modified group separation on activated silica. Subsequent analyses were done by targeted and non-targeted gas chromatography-mass spectrometry in the electron capture negative ion mode."Classic" organohalogen compounds such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), and technical 1,1,1-trichloro-2,2-di(4-chlorophenyl)ethane (DDT) were detected and quantified. PCBs generally exceeded the parts per million level and represented up to 90% of the total contamination of the ray livers. High concentrations were also detected for p,p'-DDE. Non-targeted full scan investigations lead to the detection of an abundant trichlorinated compound which was identified as a new DDT metabolite in biota. Different PBDE congeners and several halogenated natural products were quantified as well. In addition, polychlorinated terphenyls were identified and analyzed in the two species. Moreover, both ray species showed different fatty acid patterns and stable carbon isotope signatures.The two ray species showed high concentrations of organohalogen compounds in their liver tissue. Varied δ (13)C values by up to 3.1‰ indicated that the two ray species were living in different habitats.

Gymnura altavela (Linnaeus, 1758) Mediterranean Sea: 31800-859 (1 spc), 15.10.2004, Iskenderun Bay, trawl, 54 m, C. Dalyan.

In this study, elasmobranch length-weight relationships were estimated for five species caught between June 1999 and May 2003 from the Cilician Basin shelf waters (Northeastern Mediterranean): Raja clavata, Raja radula, Raja asterias, Dasyatis pastinaca, and Gymnura altavela. There were no significant differences between males and females, and only Raja clavata females showed isometric growth. © 2007 The Authors.

O presente estudo foi realizado no litoral entre a divisa dos Estados do Paraná e Santa Catarina, em duas comunidades pesqueiras artesanais que integram os municípios de Guaratuba (PR) e Itapoá (SC). Foram acompanhadas as atividades pesqueiras das comunidades, entre julho de 2001 e março de 2003, com o objetivo de: listar as espécies de elasmobrânquios capturadas pelas comunidades em questão; avaliar o uso comercial das espécies; observar a ocorrência sazonal das espécies nos desembarques; estimar a freqüência relativa de captura por aparelho de pesca; e inferir sobre a biologia reprodutiva das espécies. Durante o período estudado foram capturados: Carcharhinus falciformis, Galeocerdo cuvier, Rhizoprionodon lalandii, R. porosus, Sphyrna lewini, S. zygaena, Squatina guggenheim, Narcine brasiliensis, Rhinobatos percellens, Zapteryx brevirostris, Rioraja agassizii, Dasyatis americana, D. guttata, D. hipostigma, Gymnura altavela, Myliobatis goodei, Rhinoptera bonasus e R. brasiliensis. Quanto à comercialização das espécies, foi observado que todos os tubarões capturados na área de estudo são comercializados, dentre as raias, apenas Rhinobatos percellens e Zapteryx brevirostris. Nos desembarques, a ocorrência de elasmobrânquios foi maior durante o inverno e a primavera. A maioria das capturas ocorreu com redes de emalhe, o arrasto camaroneiro pouco capturou. Os dados do presente trabalho indicaram a utilização da área estudada para o parto das espécies G. cuvier, R. lalandii, R. porosus, S. lewini, N. brasiliensis e R. agassizii; para o crescimento de todas as espécies amostradas; e para a gestação de R. percellens e Z. brevirostris. É sugerido que medidas que visem a proteger as espécies sejam tomadas, sem trazer prejuízos e conflitos para as comunidades de pescadores.

Seven Gymnura altavela (Linnaeus, 1758) (Elasmobranchii, Myliobatiformes) caught off the Tunisian coast were examined for endoparasites during a three-year period (1995-1998). A phyllobothriid cestode new to science was found in the spiral intestine of all host specimens. The presence of a tetrabothridiate scolex, bothridia lacking an apical sucker, laciniate strobila, and possession of postvaginal testes are sufficient to place this species in the genus Anthobothrium Van Beneden, 1850. In this genus, we consider that only two species, both previously reported from carcharhiniform sharks, are valid: Anthobothrium cornucopia Van Beneden, 1850 and A. laciniatum Linton, 1890. Anthobothrium altavelae sp. n. can be distinguished from its congeners by its length, strobila morphology, and the number of testes. The taxonomic position of the species attributed to Anthobothrium parasitic in gymnurids is discussed.

A roughtail stingray, Dasyatis centroura, and a spiny buterrfly ray, Gymnura altavela, were caught near Koločep Island (Elafiti Archipelago, southern Adriatic) and settlement Crkvice (peninsula Pelješac, southern Adriatic) in October 2002 and November 2000, respectively. As far as the roughtail stingray is concerned this is, to our best knowledge, the largest specimen recorded. The presented morphometric data of spiny butterfly ray are the first for this species in the Adriatic Sea.

The Collective Article ‘New Mediterranean Biodiversity Records’ of the Mediterranean Marine Science journal offers the means to publish biodiversity records in the Mediterranean Sea. The current article is divided in two parts, for records of native and alien species respectively. The new records of native fish species include: the slender sunfish Ranzania laevis and the scalloped ribbonfish Zu cristatus in Calabria; the Azores rockling Gaidropsarus granti in Calabria and Sicily; the agujon needlefish Tylosu¬rus acus imperialis in the Northern Aegean; and the amphibious behaviour of Gouania willdenowi in Southern Turkey. As regards molluscs, the interesting findings include Ischnochiton usticensis in Calabria and Thordisa filix in the bay of Piran (Slovenia). The stomatopod Parasquilla ferussaci was collected from Lesvos island (Greece); the isopod Anilocra frontalis was observed parasit¬izing the alien Pteragogus trispilus in the Rhodes area. The asteroid Tethyaster subinermis and the butterfly ray Gymnura altavela were reported from several localities in the Greek Ionian and Aegean Seas.The new records of alien species include: the antenna codlet Bregmaceros atlanticus in Saronikos Gulf; three new fish records and two decapods from Egypt; the establishment of the two spot cardinal fish Cheilodipterus novemstriatus and the first record of the marble shrimp Saron marmoratus in semi-dark caves along the Lebanese coastline; the finding of Lagocephalus sceleratus, Sargocentron rubrum, Fistularia commersonii and Stephanolepis diaspros around Lipsi island (Aegean Sea, Greece); the decapod Penaeus Hathor in Aegean waters; the decapod Penaeus aztecus and the nudibranch Melibe viridis in the Dodecanese islands; the finding of Pinctada imbricata radiate in the Mar Grande of Taranto (Ionian Sea, Italy) and the Maliakos Gulf (Greece).

Summary Length–weight relationship parameters of the form W = aLb are presented for 24 fish species from the North Aegean Sea: Scyliorhinus canicula, Mustelus mustelus, Squalus acanthias, Torpedo marmorata, Dipturus oxyrinchus, Raja clavata, R. miraletus, Dasyatis pastinaca, Gymnura altavela, Myliobatis aquila, Chimaera monstrosa, Conger conger, Argentina sphyraena, Chlorophthalmus agassizi, Caelorinchus caelorhincus, Gadiculus argenteus argenteus, Phycis blennoides, Hoplostethus mediterraneus, Capros aper, Macroramphosus scolopax, Helicolenus dactylopterus, Peristedion cataphractum, Lesueurigobius friesii and Lepidopus caudatus.

Background: A variety of abnormalities have been described for sharks, rays and skates across different ecoregions. Morphological and functional anomalies in these species, however, were not yet documented in distributions from the Canary Islands, the spiny butterfly ray Gymnura altavela (Linnaeus, 1758) and from in situ observations. The aim of the present study is to fill these knowledge gaps.Results: A female spiny butterfly ray G. altavela with an unfused anterior part of the right pectoral fin to the neurocranium was observed in the port of Sardina del Norte (Gran Canaria Island) during a visual scuba diving census.Conclusion: The size and the observation of the activities swimming, burying and preying confirmed the adaption of the specimen for the anomaly and underdeveloped electrosensory system in its survival. The limited knowledge of teratogens and their triggering factors, and the striking similarity with an anomaly reported for G. poecilura (Shaw, 1804) from South India, suggest genetic expression aberrations or mechanical obstructions during gestation as origin for the disorder.

Seven sharks (Carcharias taurus, Mustelus canis, Negaprion brevirostris, Carchar hinus milberti, Sphyrna zygaena, Squalus acanthias, andSquatina dumerili) and six batoids (Raja eglanteria, Dasyatis centroura, D. sayi, Gymnura altavela, G. micrura, andRhinoptera bonasus) are reported from the Seaside of the Eastern Shore of Virginia.Mustelus canis may be the most common Seaside shark, but youngCarchar hinus milberti are common enough to support a small commercial fishery, and the remainder of the species are not uncommon.Negaprion brevirostris is reported for the first time from Virginia; four males taken from the Wachapreague area in 1961. Deep channels and lack of a salinity barrier may explain what seems to be a rich Seaside elasmobranch fauna. The shark fauna seems more closely related to the outer coasts of Maryland, Delaware, and New Jersey than to Chesapeake Bay, although more collections in the lower bay are needed.