A revisionary study of the genus Mobula Rafinesque, 1810 (Chondrichthyes: Mobulidae) with the description of a new species

Abstract

On the basis of morphometries, external morphology, colouration, and tooth and denticle morphology, the genus Mobula Rafinesque (1810) consists of nine living species, one of which (M. munkiana sp. nov.) is described here as new. Although the species can be grouped into six divisions based on morphological and morphometric similarities, no formal subdivision of the genus is here proposed, because of the lack of sufficient information on some of the species involved: the study presented here is the first systematic approach towards an overall revision of this genus. Neotypcs are designated for M. eregoodootenkee (Cuvier, 1829) and M. tarapacana (Philippi, 1892). Mobula coilloti Cadenat & Rancurel (1960) and M. formosana Teng (1962) are considered to be synonyms of M. tarapacana (Philippi, 1892), M. rancureli Cadenat (1959) is a synonym of M. japanica (Muller & Henle, 1841), M. lucasana Beebe & Tee-Van (1938) is a synonym of M. thurstoni (Lloyd, 1908), M. draco (Gunther, 1872) is a synonym of M. kuhlii (Valenciennes in Muller & Henle, 1841), and Ceratobatis robertsii Boulenger (1897) is a synonym of M. hypostoma (Bancroft, 1831). The relationships between M. japanica and M. mobular are not clear, and must await more detailed information on M. mobular. For each species principal synonyms are given and discussed, and diagnosis, description, morphometric data and geographic range are presented. A key is included to aid in species identification. All Mobula species are marine tropical-subtropical, and three are probably worldwide; M. japanica and M. mobular range into warm temperate waters. Of the nine species accepted here, five are found in the Indo-West Pacific, four in the eastern Pacific, two in the western Atlantic, four in the eastern Atlantic, and one in the Mediterranean.