Updated checklist of the extant Chondrichthyes within the Exclusive Economic Zone of Mexico

Abstract

The checklist presented in this study includes the latest taxonomic and systematic modifications and updates (early 2018) for the Chondrichthyes that inhabit the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of Mexico. The list is based on a literature review of field-specific books, scientific publications and database information from collections and museums worldwide available online such as, the Ocean Biogeographic Information System (OBIS), Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF), Encyclopedia of Life (EOL), iSpecies, FishBase and the National Biodiversity Information System (SNIB–CONABIO). Information was cross-referenced with digital taxonomic systems such as the Catalog of Fishes of the California Academy of Sciences, the World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS), and the Integrated Taxonomic Information System (ITIS). There is a total of two subclasses two divisions, 13 orders, 44 families, 84 genera, and 217 species that represent approximately 18% of all living and described species of chondrichthyans worldwide. For the Mexican Pacific and the Gulf of California, 92 species of chondrichthyans are listed compared to 94 species for the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea. Additionally, 31 species listed occur on both coasts of Mexico. The species richness of the Mexican chondrichthyans will surely continue to increase, due to the exploration of deep-water fishing areas in the EEZ.