First record of a morphological abnormality in the longtail stingray Dasyatis longa (Myliobatiformes: Dasyatidae) in the Gulf of California, Mexico

Abstract

This is the first report of morphological abnormalities in the longtail stingray Dasyatis longa in theGulf of California, Mexico. A young female (36.7 cm disc width) captured in a gill net had deformedand incomplete pectoral fins the anterior margins of which were separated from the head. Themouth was also deformed and the eyes and spiracles were situated on the lateral part of the headinstead of on the dorsal surface. Some morphometric measurements are included. We concludethat the malformation of its mouth would prevent this stingray from surviving to adulthood.