Abstract
The Molidae are a widely distributed family, but they are rarely encountered and their distribution and abundance have poorly been documented. A stranded specimen of the sharptail mola, Masturus lanceolatus (Lienard, 1840), has recently been recorded on a Pacific beach in Peru. We examined, measured and photographed the specimen. It is very likely that the presently reported sharptail mola was originally captured by a Peruvian purse seiner or longliner and later discarded as a useless bycatch.
Highlights
Cornejo 2001), but the third species Masturus lanceolatusThe molas, known as ocean (Liénard, 1840) has been recently added to the Peruvian sunfishes, are widely distributed in tropical and temperate ichthyofauna (Mangel et al 2019)
It is very likely that the presently reported sharptail mola was originally captured by a Peruvian purse seiner or longliner and later discarded as a useless bycatch
The stranded specimen of this rarely encountered species on caudal fin is replaced by a broad rudder-like lobe called the north-central coast of Peru
Summary
Cornejo 2001), but the third species Masturus lanceolatusThe molas (family Molidae), known as ocean (Liénard, 1840) has been recently added to the Peruvian sunfishes, are widely distributed in tropical and temperate ichthyofauna (Mangel et al 2019). First record of a stranded specimen of the sharptail mola, Masturus lanceolatus (Actinopterygii: Tetraodontiformes: Molidae), from the central coast of Peru. A stranded specimen of the sharptail mola, Masturus lanceolatus (Liénard, 1840), has recently been recorded on a Pacific beach in Peru.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
