Cartilaginous fishes (Class Chondrichthyes) from the Ichthyological Collection at the Federal University of Paraíba, Brazil

Abstract

Federal University of Paraíba (UFPB) ichthyological collection comprises over 11,000 lots of species of cartilaginous and bony fishes from marine, estuarine and freshwater realms. Due to the collection size, rarity of some specimens, taxonomic and geographical scope, this collection represents a substantial archive of the Neotropical fish fauna, especially concerning the Northeast Brazilian region. Currently, UFPB fish collection is under bioinformatization and curatorial transitions. Hence, the present study aimed to provide a detailed analysis of the Chondrichthyan collection database in which the systematic, spatial and chronological coverages are discussed. Full list of collection objects, updated nomenclature and type collection extent are given for public consultation. There are 504 lots of sharks, batoids and chimaeras that are classified within 10 orders, 22 families, 34 genera, and 64 species. Myliobatiformes and Carcharhiniformes represent taxa with higher number of lots in which freshwater stingrays (Potamotrygonidae) and requiem sharks (Carcharhinidae) stand out. Specimens were mostly collected in the marine coastline off Paraíba state and lower Amazonian region, which set UFPB fish collection as an outstanding scientific collection of the regional genetic heritage.