Morphological abnormalities in seven American round ray specimens: A review of America's batomorph anomalies.

Abstract

Although morphological abnormalities in several rays and skate species around the American continents have frequently mentioned, their numbers are unknown. The present work record morphological abnormalities in four Urotrygonidae species. Two anophthalmic specimens were detected (Urotrygon microphthalmum and Urobatis halleri). Two individuals lacked caudal fins (Urobatis maculatus and Urotrygon chilensis). Two round rays showed incomplete fusion of the pectoral fin to the head (U.microphthalmum and U.chilensis). Vertebral compression and fusion were found in a 6-year-old female Urotrygon rogersi. In addition, 118 abnormal batomorph specimens were gathered from the available bibliography, spanning the last six decades (1959-2021). Amblyraja doellojuradoi was the species with the highest number of abnormalities (18). The most common anomaly was an incomplete fusion of the pectoral fin with the head. Since 2010, at least 30 anomalous batomorphs have been recorded every 5years. Sixty-nine abnormal specimens occurred in the Northern Hemisphere (1.00-60.00N). The Cortezian (Pacific) and Southeastern Brazil (Atlantic) marine ecoregions stood out with the highest number of these specimens. Mexico recorded 58 anomalous specimens, followed by Brazil (n=36). Biological, abiotic and anthropogenic factors are probably the leading causes. However, additional studies are necessary to elucidate these speculations.