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Issue: Vol. 3752 No. 1: 24 Dec. 2013
Type: Article
Published: 2013-12-24
DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.3752.1.12
Page range: 199–213
Abstract views: 68
PDF downloaded: 40

Redescription of Aetobatus flagellum (Bloch & Schneider, 1801), an endangered eagle ray (Myliobatoidea: Myliobatidae) from the Indo–West Pacific

CSIRO Marine & Atmospheric Research, Wealth from Oceans Flagship, GPO Box 1538, Hobart, TAS, 7001, Australia.
School of Ocean Sciences, Bangor University, Askew Street, Menai Bridge, Anglesey, LL59 5AB, UK RSK Environment Ltd., Spring Lodge, 172 Chester Road, Helsby, Cheshire, WA6 0AR, UK.
Myliobatidae Aetobatus flagellum batoid Indo–West Pacific Aetobatus sp. estuarine

Abstract

The eagle ray Aetobatus flagellum (Bloch & Schneider, 1801) is redescribed based on new material from the Persian Gulf (Kuwait), Indonesia and Malaysia. A related but distinct species of Aetobatus from the western North Pacific, previously referred to as A. flagellum, is reported. Aetobatus flagellum is a medium-sized eagle ray which attains about 900 mm DW; males mature at approximately 500 mm DW. Aetobatus flagellum appears to be uncommon and restricted to estuary-influenced waters of the Indo–West Pacific. It is caught as gillnet bycatch where its habit of schooling, combined with probable small litter size, may make it particularly vulnerable to impacts from fisheries.

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