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ABSTRACT While morphological abnormalities have been widely reported in batomorphs, ontogenetic deformities of the posterior pectoral fin are rare. In this paper, we present a bluespotted ribbontail ray, Taeniura lymma (Forsskål, 1775), with symmetrically deformed posterior pectoral fins. The specimen was observed through aerial imagery on a coastal sandflat in the central Red Sea (22.30° N, 39.09° E). The bilateral symmetry of the deformity indicates it likely has a genetic base. However, lacking access to the specimen, the ultimate cause of the abnormality remains uncertain. The incomplete disk closure did not seem to affect survival, as the specimen reached a disk width of 22 cm, well above the regional size at sexual maturity. Our observations constitute both the first report of a morphological abnormality in T. lymma and the first record of a batomorph with a symmetrically deformed posterior pectoral fin. In this paper, we present a bluespotted ribbontail ray, Taeniura lymma (Forsskål, 1775), with symmetrically deformed posterior pectoral fins. The specimen was observed through aerial imagery on a coastal sandflat in the central Red Sea (22.30° N, 39.09° E). Our observations constitute both the first report of a morphological abnormality in T. lymma and the first record of a batomorph with a symmetrically deformed posterior pectoral fin.

Abstract While morphological abnormalities have been widely reported in batomorphs, ontogenetic deformities of the posterior pectoral fin are rare. In this paper, we present two individuals of the bluespotted ribbontail ray, Taeniura lymma (Forsskål, 1775), with symmetrically deformed posterior pectoral fins. Both individuals were observed through aerial imagery on a coastal sandflat in the central Red Sea (22.30° N, 39.09° E). The similarity of this symmetrical deformity in both individuals indicates it likely has a genetic base. However, lacking access to the specimens, the ultimate cause of the abnormality remains uncertain. The incomplete disk closure did not seem to affect survival, as both individuals had reached a disk width of 22 cm, well above the typical birth size of the species. Our observations constitute both the first report of a morphological abnormality in T. lymma and the first record of a batomorph with a symmetrically deformed posterior pectoral fin.