Species, sex, size and male maturity composition of ... - Seaturtle.org
Species, sex, size and male maturity composition of ... - Seaturtle.org
Species, sex, size and male maturity composition of ... - Seaturtle.org
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10 A. B. M. MOORE ET AL.<br />
exceptions: (1) two subtly different species <strong>of</strong> cownose rays Rhinoptera sp., for<br />
which field identification characters (Last et al., 2010b) only became available at the<br />
end <strong>of</strong> the survey, <strong>and</strong> (2) a number <strong>of</strong> morphologically similar Carcharhinus species<br />
in the initial part <strong>of</strong> the first survey (Kuwait in 2008). Undescribed taxa [whipray<br />
Himantura sp. B sensu Manjaji, 2004; guitarfish Rhinobatos cf. punctifer (‘RHY’<br />
sensu Henderson et al., 2007)] were also recorded, as was a cryptic species complex<br />
[Himantura uarnak (Gmelin 1789)]. Preliminary examination <strong>of</strong> barcode data,<br />
photographs <strong>and</strong> specimens indicates that taxonomic clarification is also required for<br />
several more batoid species collected in this survey (White et al., 2010; R. D. Ward,<br />
W. White, P. Last, pers. comms.).<br />
TAXONOMIC COMPOSITION<br />
A total <strong>of</strong> 39 elasmobranch species (including the H. uarnak species complex)<br />
were recorded during the survey, comprising 21 shark, five guitarfish <strong>and</strong> 13 ray<br />
species (Table I). These belonged to a total <strong>of</strong> 13 families, <strong>of</strong> which the most<br />
species-rich were whaler sharks (Carcharhinidae, 14 species) <strong>and</strong> stingrays (Dasyatidae,<br />
five species). The vast majority (c. 80%) <strong>of</strong> elasmobranchs were sharks, with<br />
rays comprising c. 16%; guitarfishes were relatively unimportant overall (c. 4%).<br />
Amongst the sharks, carcharhinids dominated (c. 73% <strong>of</strong> total individuals), with<br />
weasel sharks (Hemigaleidae) <strong>and</strong> carpetsharks (Hemiscyllidae) comprising c. 3%<br />
each. Houndsharks (Triakidae) <strong>and</strong> hammerhead sharks (Sphyrnidae) each comprised<br />