New record of Arabic whipray, Maculabatis arabica (Elasmobranchii: Myliobatiformes: Dasyatidae), from the Persian Gulf off Iraq

Abstract

The first occurrence of Arabic whipray, Maculabatis arabica Manjaji-Matsumoto et Last, 2016, is reported from the Persian Gulf off Iraq. The sample was collected using a trawl net in March 2018. Molecular analysis and morphological characters were used for identification. Disc width of specimen 370 mm and disc length 357 mm. The disk is relatively short and broadly rhomboidal. There are narrow spaces between the paired structures on the head. The snout is moderately elongate with a small apical lobe. Pectoral-fin apices are narrowly rounded, pelvic fins moderately large 16.26% DW. Tail very long 825 mm, with two spines. The dorsal disc is uniformly brownish, while the ventral disc is pale.

Keywords

• new occurrence
• Maculabatis arabica
• Persian Gulf