Numbfishes from the Arabian Sea and surrounding gulfs, with the description of a new species from Oman (Chondrichthyes: Torpediniformes: Narcinidae)

Abstract

A new species of numbfish is described from the Gulf of Oman on the basis of an adult female specimen that contained three late-term pups in utero. Narcine atzi, sp. nov., is distinguished from all other species of Narcine by a unique combination of characters, including the first dorsal fin clearly taller, and with a longer base, than the second dorsal fin; preoral snout length greater than preorbital snout length; and dorsal coloration composed of numerous small dark brown spots over disc, tail, and inside spiracles, coupled with faint larger blotches on dorsal disc region. Narcine atzi is also recorded from Sri Lanka and Myanmar. The numbfishes from the Arabian Sea and Gulfs of Oman and Aden are briefly summarized. Three additional species of Narcine are confirmed from these regions, along with one peripheral species from the coast of central Somalia. A key is provided to identify the numbfishes from the Arabian Sea and Gulfs of Oman and Aden.