Himantura Uarnak Research Articles

Preliminary evaluation of fish cartilage as a promising biomaterial in cartilage tissue engineering

Fish cartilage is known as a valuable source of natural biomaterials due to its unique composition and properties. It contains a variety of bioactive components that contribute to its potential applications in different domains such as tissue engineering. The present work aimed to consider the properties of backbone cartilage from fish with a cartilaginous skeleton, including elasmobranch (reticulate whipray: Himantura uarnak and milk shark: Rhizoprionodon acutus) and sturgeon (beluga: Huso huso). The histomorphometric findings showed that the number of chondrocytes was significantly higher in reticulate whipray and milk shark compared to beluga (p < 0.05). The highest GAGs content was recorded in reticulate whipray cartilage compared to the other two species (p < 0.05). The cartilage from reticulate whipray and beluga showed higher collagen content than milk shark cartilage (p < 0.05), and the immunohistochemical assay for type II collagen (Col II) showed higher amounts of this component in reticulate whipray compared to the other two species. Young’s modulus of the cartilage from reticulate whipray was significantly higher than that of milk shark and beluga (p < 0.05), while no significant difference was recorded between Young’s modulus of the cartilage from milk shark and beluga. The gene expression of ACAN, Col II, and Sox9 showed that the cartilage-ECM from three species was able to induce chondrocyte differentiation from human adipose tissue-derived stem cells (hASCs). From these results, it can be concluded that the cartilage from three species, especially reticulate whipray, enjoys the appropriate biological properties and provides a basis for promoting its applications in the field of cartilage tissue engineering.

Pregnant female and near term embryos of the honeycomb stingray Himantura uarnak (Chondrichthyes – Dasyatidae) from Mersin Bay, northeastern Mediterranean

The honeycomb stingray Himantura uarnak (Gmelin, 1789) is one of the non-indigenous species in habiting eastern Mediterranean Sea. A single pregnant female was accidentally captured in March 2022 in the commercial purse seiner fishing. The taxonomic identification of this species has been confirmed by using DNA barcoding. The present study provides the first account of a gravid female and near term embryos H. uarnak, captured off the coast of Mersin Bay, Türkiye. Data of near term embryos, suggests that parturition occurred in either end of March or early April.

Effects of Urea Removal on the Stable Isotopes δ13C and δ15N in Rays from the Coastal Waters of Peninsular Malaysia

Highlight Research This is the first stable isotopes study of rays from Malaysian waters Urea extraction significantly enriched the δ15N values (‰) Urea removal is obliged for stable isotope studies on rays Such methodological information is critical for marine research in the region Abstract This is the first reported record of stable isotope values for elasmobranch rays within Malaysian waters, and serves as an important baseline methodological information for future studies investigating stable isotope values in both shark and ray species in the region. This study examined the effects of urea removal on the stable isotopes values of δ13C and δ15N in muscle tissues sampled from several elasmobranch rays species, namely Pastinachus atrus, Rhinoptera javanica, Himantura gerrardi, Himantura uarnak and Aetobatus ocellatus. Individual ray species were collected in July and August of 2018, from the coastal waters of Terengganu State, Malaysia. Urea removal was performed by soaking muscle tissue samples in deionised water for at least 24 hours before being dehydrated. The resulting stable isotope values of these samples were compared to samples that did not undergo the urea removal process. Stable isotope values were individual and species-specific, however, the effect of urea removal was significant for δ15N values but did not significantly affect the δ13C values. We conclude that removing urea from elasmobranch samples before stable isotope analysis is advisable to draw correct conclusions about the animal’s diets.

Correction to: Neotype designation and re-description of Forsskål’s reticulate whipray Himantura uarnak

Correction to: Neotype designation and re-description of Forsskål’s reticulate whipray Himantura uarnak

Neotype designation and re-description of Forsskål’s reticulate whipray Himantura uarnak

A continuing impediment to the taxonomy of the reticulate whipray Himantura spp. species complex is the absence of a type specimen for H. uarnak (Gmelin [ex Forsskal], 1789). Here, reticulate whipray specimens were sampled from the Jeddah region in the Red Sea, the assumed type locality of H. uarnak, and characterized genetically at the cytochrome-oxidase subunit 1 (CO1) locus. One of these specimens now in the fish collection of the California Academy of Sciences was designated as neotype. The maximum-likelihood phylogeny of all available CO1 gene sequences from the genus Himantura had the following topology: ((H. leoparda, H. uarnak), (H. undulata, (Himantura sp. 2, (H. australis + Himantura sp. 1))), H. tutul), where H. uarnak haplotypes formed a distinct lineage sister to H. leoparda. Based on these CO1 gene sequences, the geographic distribution of H. uarnak includes the eastern Mediterranean, the Red Sea, the East African coast, and the Arabian Sea. At least one lineage in the reticulate whipray species complex remains to be named.

A New Species of Tapeworm in the Genus Stillabothrium (Rhinebothriidea: Escherbothriidae) from a Stingray from Borneo

Examination of spiral intestines from Himantura tutulBorsa, Durand, Shen, Arlyza, Solihin, and Berrebi, 2013 (=Himantura uarnak 3 sensu Naylor et al. [2012]), collected from Malaysian Borneo revealed the presence of a new species of tapeworm belonging to the genus Stillabothrium (Rhinebothriidea: Escherbothriidae). Stillabothrium borneoense n. sp. Herzog, Meininger, and Reyda is assigned to the genus based on its possession of a scolex with 4 bothridia divided into a distinct anterior region with facial loculi that are oriented horizontally and a distinct posterior region with facial loculi that are oriented vertically. The new species is distinguished from its congeners by features of the scolex and proglottids, including a vagina that recurves well anterior to the cirrus sac, as well as a unique locular arrangement not previously reported for members of this genus: 4 horizontally oriented loculi in the anterior region of the bothridia and 7 vertically oriented loculi in the posterior region of the bothridia. Stillabothrium borneoense n. sp. expands both known morphological variation and known host associations within the genus.

Evaluating Kenya’s coastal gillnet fishery: trade-offs in recommended mesh-size regulations

Gillnets are a widely used fishing gear in Kenya’s artisanal fisheries, yet their mesh sizes are inadequately monitored or regulated. This study evaluated the impacts of gillnets of seven stretched-mesh sizes, through comparative analysis of species-related metrics and catch per unit effort (CPUE), to inform Kenya’s small-scale fisheries regulations. Data were collected from June 2014 to May 2015. Three mesh-size groups were identified from catch composition data using non-metric multidimensional scaling and comprised small (1.3, 5.1 and 7.6 cm), medium (10.2 and 15.2 cm) and large (20.3 and 25.4 cm) mesh. The dominant species (and their mean lengths) that were caught in the small, medium and large mesh sizes, respectively, were whitespotted rabbitfish Siganus sutor (21.7 cm [SD 5.3]), mackerel tuna Euthynnus affinis (40.8 cm [SD 9.1]) and honeycomb stingray Himantura uarnak (87.3 cm [SD 37.4]). Values of length at first capture (L 50) for S. sutor and E. affinis caught with the small and medium mesh sizes were below length at maturity (L m). Catches of juveniles were proportionately high in the small meshes (61.3–74.2%) and lower in the medium (38.3–50.9%) and large (9.1–36.2%) mesh sizes. Catches with small mesh tended to be species categorised as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List, in contrast to catches with large mesh which tended to be Near Threatened or Vulnerable species. Biomass CPUE differed between mesh-size groups, with the small sizes recording low CPUE. The medium sizes caught mid- to high-trophic-level species with high-income returns, displayed moderate CPUE, and had the lowest juvenile retention and capture of threatened species. Medium mesh sizes are therefore recommended for artisanal fisheries, given low trade-offs between ecological impact and fishery returns.

First record of the marbled ray, Dasyatis marmorata (Elasmobranchii: Dasyatidae), from Greece (central Aegean Sea).

BackgroundCurrently, seven dasyatid species have been described in the Mediterranean Sea: Bathytoshia lata, Dasyatis marmorata, Dasyatis pastinaca, Dasyatis tortonesei, Himantura uarnak, Pteroplatytrygon violacea and Taeniura grabata. Papaconstantinou (2014) listed four species of Dasyatidae occurring in Greece (P. violacea, D. pastinaca, D. tortonesei and D. centroura; the latter was a case of misidentification and it is currently identified as B. lata, according to genetic analysis). However, the marbled stingray (D. marmorata) was not amongst them. Here, the presence of D. marmorata was examined for the first time in Greece.New informationThe present study provides updated information on the geographical distribution of D. marmorata in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea. A juvenile male stingray was captured in February 2019, during an onshore survey in Maliakos Gulf, located in the central Aegean Sea, Greece. The ray was examined at the Fisheries laboratory of the Hellenic Centre for Marine Research (HCMR) in Athens and was identified as D. marmorata. Morphological characters were recorded and DNA barcoding was applied to confirm the species identification. The combination of the two methods verified the occurrence of the marbled ray in the Greek waters. This is the first record of D. marmorata from the Aegean Sea.

Coastal breeding aggregations of threatened stingrays and guitarfish in the Levant

Abstract Stingrays and guitarfish are globally threatened by overexploitation, particularly so in the Mediterranean Sea. Nevertheless, very little information is known about their ecology, behaviour, and taxonomy in the Mediterranean, and especially in the Levant, where water temperature, salinity, and the impact of invasive species are relatively high. Although it has been suggested that some species may aggregate in the Levant, this has not been formally documented and the scale of this phenomenon, the taxonomic composition, and the temporal dynamics are unknown. Visual surveys were conducted, which allowed the documentation of stingrays and guitarfish behaviour, and which was not available from data based on fishery catches. The census took place within a marine protected area over a period of 3 years. Altogether, we documented 675 batoid observations. One of the observed species is Endangered (Glaucostegus cemiculus) and one is Vulnerable (Dasyatis pastinaca), whereas the others are classed as Least Concern (Torpedo torpedo and Torpedo marmorata), Data Deficient (Taeniurops grabatus), non‐assessed within the Mediterranean (Dasyatis chrysonota), and Not Evaluated (Himantura uarnak). Results show clear seasonal patterns, with dense aggregations recorded during spring and early summer, when densities reached 85 observations per kilometre. In addition, there were clear indications of breeding behaviour in D. pastinaca and D. chrysonota, including the first recorded documentation of D. pastinaca courtship in the Mediterranean. Large seasonal stingrays and guitarfish aggregations in shallow waters have not, to our knowledge, been documented in the Mediterranean Sea previously. This highlights the importance of conserving shallow habitats as potential breeding grounds. As these sites are easily reached while both snorkelling and diving, the aggregation of these charismatic species can serve as potential ecotourism sites. Finally, this study shows the benefits of using simple visual census, as opposed to catch‐based methods, to record both the diversity and the behaviour of batoids.

Diversity, abundance, behaviour, and catchability of fishes from trap catch and underwater video in the Arabian Gulf

Underwater camera systems can be a valuable tool for evaluating fish assemblages and estimating relative abundance of stock, assessing behaviour of marine species, and monitoring ecosystem change. Within the Arabian Gulf waters of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), overall fish species diversity and distribution and frequency of occurrence were determined from baited underwater video (BUV) and trap video in commercial fish traps (gargours). A total of 75 species or species groups were recorded, with the highest species diversity recorded on BUV (70 species or species groups, compared with 58 and 55 species or species groups on trap video and in trap catch, respectively). Most frequently recorded species included Nemipterus peronii, catfishes (Netuma spp.), Echeneis naucrates, Himantura uarnak, and Lethrinus microdon. Sightings of 8 key species of commercial interest and Echeneis naucrates were found to be similar between season and method, but observations of some species appeared to vary by survey area (inshore, offshore trawlable, offshore untrawlable). Arrival time for key species to reach maximum numbers (MaxN) occurred between 50 and 100 min of trap deployment, indicating that the video observation length (up to 180 min) and trap deployment length (about 360 min) were appropriate for estimating abundance. Escapement within the observed period (about 180 min) varied from zero for Diagramma pictum and Lethrinus borbonicus to 13% for Epinephelus coioides and 20% for L. lentjan. Escapement post video reached 71% for Lethrinus borbonicus. The presence of the commercially important and predatory fish Epinephelus coioides appeared to affect the catchability of fishes with behaviours that included territoriality and predation.

An outbreak of Vibrio alginolyticus infection in aquarium-maintained dark-spotted (Himantura uarnak) and Tahitian (H. fai) stingrays

Vibrio alginolyticus was isolated from captive-bred adult dark-spotted stingrays (Himantura uarnak) and Tahitian stingrays (Himantura fai) housed at the Hurghada Grand Aquarium (Egypt). The pathogen was isolated from skin ulcers, as well as from the internal organs of diseased and freshly died rays. Most of rays showed dorsal disc surface skin lesions characterized by the presence of whitish necrotic tissue. The total mortality was 25% during the outbreak, the histopathological pictures were also recorded. Phenotypic and biochemical characters as well as species-specific PCR confirmed the pathogen as V. alginolyticus MK170250. The isolated bacteria were sensitive to ampicillin, amikacin, streptomycin, neomycin, oxytetracycline, tetracycline, chloramphenicol, erythromycin, norfloxacin, and ciprofloxacin, but resistant to cephalothin. Antibiotic therapy was conducted with intramuscularly injection of amikacin at 3–5 mg/kg of fish on alternate days for five doses and resulted in preventing the clinical signs and mortality. This article represents the first report of V. alginolyticus infection in dark-spotted and Tahitian stingrays, and highlights the potential pathogenic role of this microorganism in elasmobranchs kept in an aquarium.

New genera, species and records of rhinebothriidean cestodes (Platyhelminthes) parasitic in Australian stingrays (Elasmobranchii: Batoidea).

Collections of rhinebothriidean cestodes (Platyhelminthes) from Australian batoid elasmobranchs revealed the presence of a number of new genera and species. Ruptobothrium louiseuzeti n. g., n sp. is described from the reticulate whipray, Himantura australis Last, Naylor & Manjaji-Matsumoto, from off the Northern Territory and Mixobothrium queenslandense n. g., n sp. is described from the green sawfish, Pristis zijsron Bleeker, from off north-eastern Queensland. Two new species of Rhabdotobothrium Euzet, 1953 are described: Rhabdotobothrium meridionale n. sp. from the southern eagle ray Myliobatis tenuicaudatus Hector from off South Australia and Rhabdotobothrium anoxypristidis n. sp. from the narrow sawfish, Anoxypristis cuspidatus (Latham) from off north Western Australia. A new species of Scalithrium Healy & Reyda, 2016, Scalithrium australiense n. sp., is described from the reticulate whipray, Himantura australis Last, Naylor & Manjaji-Matsumoto, from off northern Western Australia. Scalithrium smitii (Shinde, Deshmukh & Jadhav, 1981) n. comb. is reported from Australian waters for the first time in the black spotted stingray Maculabatis toshi (Whitley) from off northern Western Australia. New host and geographical records are provided for Stillabothrium jeanfortiae Forti, Aprill & Reyda, 2016 from the brown whipray Maculobatis toshi (Whitley) and the black-spotted whipray, Maculabatis cf. astra (Last, Manjaji-Matsumoto & Pogonoski) from Moreton Bay in southern Queensland.

Study of stingray harvesting, marketing and utilization in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh

The present study was conducted to assess the harvesting procedures, nutritional value of stingray in the coastal district Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh and its utilization as value-added product. Data were collected through direct observation, focus group discussion, questionnaire interview and cross check interview. It was found that stingray was mainly caught by artisanal fishery using gill net, set bag net and long line within 5-40 m depth ranges about 100-200 km at west direction, 10-60 km at south direction and 50-100 m depth ranges about 60-100 km at southwest direction from Fishery ghat, Cox’s Bazar. In the west direction, stingray harvesting grounds were Sonar char, Rupar char, Char Gongmoti and Dublar char in Patuakhali district, and Cox’s Bazar coast, Teknaf coast, St. Martin’s island coast and the south patches at south direction and middle ground at southwest direction. Generally stingrays was harvested throughout the year but were abundant during December and January. At fish landing center, the supply chain of stingray from fishermen to consumers passed through a number of intermediaries e.g., dealer, wholesaler, retailer and supplier. The market value of stingray varied where fishermen sold at 90-140 Tk/kg that passed through these channels and at last consumers got it at 140-250 Tk/kg. Six species of stingray were found in Fishery ghat, Cox’s Bazar namely Himantura gerrardi, Dasyatis bennetti, Himantura uarnak, Himantura undulata, Himantura bleekeri and Neotrygon kuhlii. Among them H. gerrardi and H. bleekeri were available and very popular in the market. The average moisture, protein, lipid, carbohydrate and ash content of H. bleekeri were determined as 78.08%, 14.80%, 4.31%, 0.95% and 1.87%, respectively and total energy content 103.78 Kcal. Three utilization processes were investigated in this study namely fish ball of stingray, stingray recipe with sour of tomato and stingray recipe with sour of tamarind. Fish ball was preferred as an excellent product and others were as very good products. Dried stingray products were only utilized by tribal peoples. Dried meat, skin and spine were exported abroad namely to China, Thailand, Myanmar and Singapore.&#x0D; J. Bangladesh Agril. Univ. 16(3): 539–544, December 2018

A study on food-medicine continuum among the non-institutionally trained siddha practitioners of Tiruvallur district, Tamil Nadu, India

BackgroundMedicinal properties of the food species are one of the poorly documented and important areas of ethnopharmacology. The present survey quantitatively documented the medicinal foods prescribed by the non-institutionally trained siddha practitioners of Tiruvallur district of Tamil Nadu.MethodsField work was carried out between December 2014 and April 2017 using a questionnaire. The illnesses mentioned by the informants were grouped as illness categories on the basis of emic perceptions. Sufficiency of sampling of this survey was assessed by plotting the cumulative number of UR and Shannon-Wiener’s index. The indices such as informant consensus factor (FIC), Index of Agreement on Remedies (IAR), and Cultural Food Significance Index (CFSI) were calculated.ResultsThis study documented 165 medicinal foods used by 82 non-institutionally trained siddha practitioners of Tiruvallur district, and 73.93% of these preparations were plant based. Among the animal taxa, 82.05% were represented by fish taxa. The illness category gastrointestinal ailments is the majorly cited illness category treated with plant-based formulations. The illness categories viz., gastrointestinal ailments, hemorrhoids, and neural ailments had high consensus under the group of plant-based medicinal foods. In animal-based medicinal foods, kapha ailments had gained 23.07% of UR. The illness categories such as bone fractures, male reproductive ailments, blood ailments, and anabolic had high FIC values.ConclusionsDeeper studies on different dietary cultures of India may help to derive better interpretations on food-medicine continuum. This study identified some important claims such as the use of citron, pomegranate and Solanum americanum (gastrointestinal ailments), Abutilon indicum, onions and elephant foot yam (hemorrhoids), Boerhavia diffusa (urinary ailments), Moringa oleifera (anemia), Aloe vera (gynecological ailments), Eclipta prostrata (liver ailments), ivy gourd (diabetes), citron (hypertension), Centella asiatica (psychological ailments), spade nose shark (lactogogue), reticulate whipray (wheezing and bronchitis), Katelysia opima (impotence), Indian squid (anemia), and Indian oil sardine (anabolic). More studies on these claims will help identify novel functional foods to add to the field of medical nutrition therapy, with traditional brand identity. Robust studies on the documentation of the traditional knowledge on marine resources will yield a good database for various stakeholders and policy makers.

The Role of Science in The Management of Biodiversity: a Case of Stingrays (Dasyatidae) Research to Provide Basic Data for Aquatic Fauna Conservation in South Sumatra

The study of fish diversity had been reported accross the South Sumatran waters, but the study focus on stingrays (family Dasyatidae) were very limited. In general, many stingrays species face high level of direct exploitation. A recent study to provide valid checklist of stingrays in South Sumatran waters found 14 species: Brevitrygon heterura, Fluvitrygon kittipongi, Fluvitrygon oxyrhyncha, Fluvitrygon signifier, Fluvitrygon sp ‘musi’ 1, Fluvitrygon sp ‘musi’ 2, Himantura undulata, Himantura uarnak, Maculabatis gerrardi, Pateobatis fai, Pateobatis uarnacoides, Pastinachus ater, Telatrygon biasa and Urogymnus polylepis. Following IUCN (The International Union for Conservation of Nature) Red List status 2018, ten species of stingrays are threatened, with four species as Endangered, five species as Vulnerable and one species as Data Deficient. These findings suggest the South Sumatran waters are important habitat for stingrays in Indonesia, and immediate conservation actions plan is needed. In this paper, we demonstrate the role of science in biodiversity management with stingrays (Dasyatidae, an iconic group of rare and threatened fishes) as study case.1.

Reef fish diversity of bottom set gillnet landings at Pamban, Tamil Nadu, India

The coral reef areas of Gulf of Mannar support a rich fauna of fishes and bottom set gill net is one of the important gears employed in this area. Reef fishes landed at Pamban fish landing centre by bottom-set gillnets operated in Gulf of Mannar, for a period of three years from January, 2009 to December, 2011 were studied based on fortnightly sampling. A total of 69 species belonging to 29 families were recorded during the study and as per IUCN, two species, Himantura uarnak and Rhinoptera javanica are included under the Vulnerable category. The landings amounted to 1761 tonnes during the period with a maximum contribution of 44% during 2011 and it was the minimum during 2010 with a share of 27%. Species-wise landings indicated the dominance of Lethrinus nebulosus (11.5%) followed by Neotrygon kuhlii (10.6%). The richness and diversity indices showed a gradual increase from 2009 to 2011 and all the year wise points in the funnel plot for variation in taxonomic distinctness (λ+) are within the expected limit. The qualitative and quantitative abundance along with different diversity measures are presented and discussed in this paper. The results of the present investigation suggest that the bottom set gill net fishery is in a healthy condition with respect to Pamban fish landing centre.

Length-weight relationships for 10 elasmobranch species from the Oman Sea

Length–weight relationships (LWRs) were estimated for ten elasmobranch species from Iranian waters of the Oman Sea. All specimens were collected by bottom trawl (mesh size 80 mm in the cod end) between May and December 2014. A total of 509 individuals (107 Torpedo sinuspersici, 68 Rhinobatos punctifer, 63 Chaenogaleus macrostoma, 72 Himantura walga, 80 Himantura gerrardi, 58 Gymnura poecilura, 4 Himantura uarnak, 4 Rhinoptera javanica, 14 Aetobatus flagellum, and 39 Pastinachus sephen) were sampled and studied. Results showed that most species had positive allometric or isometric growth but that more studies were needed for final decisions on growth patterns. Both the disk length-body weight (DL/BW) and disk width-body weight (DW/BW) relationships also showed a good fit, reinforcing the credibility of the data in relation to the LWRs. This study is the first report of LWRs for these elasmobranchs in the northern Oman Sea.

Visual Specializations in Five Sympatric Species of Stingrays from the Family Dasyatidae

The eyes of five ray species (Taeniura lymma, Neotrygon kuhlii, Pastinachus atrus, Himantura uarnak and Urogymnus asperrimus) from the same taxonomic family (Dasyatidae) and the same geographic region (Ningaloo Reef, Western Australia) were studied to identify differences in retinal specializations that may reflect niche specialization. The topographic distributions of photoreceptors (rods and all cones) and ganglion cells were assessed and used to identify localized peaks in cell densities that indicate specializations for acute vision. These data were also used to calculate summation ratios of photoreceptors to ganglion cells in each species and estimate the anatomical spatial resolving power of the eye. Subtle differences in the distribution of retinal neurons appear to be related to the ecology of these closely related species of stingrays. The main specialization in the retinal cell density distribution is the dorsal streak that allows these animals to scan the substrate for potential prey. The blue-spotted fantail ray, T. lymma, showed the highest peak density of rods (86,700 rods mm^-2) suggesting a specialization for scotopic vision. The highest peak density of cones (9,970 cones mm^-2) was found in H. uarnak, and the highest peak density of ganglion cells (4,500 cells mm^-2) was found in P. atrus. The proportion of rods to cones in the dorsal streak was higher in the two smaller species (12.5-14:1 in T. lymma and N. kuhlii) than the larger stingrays (6-8:1 in P. atrus, H. uarnak and U. asperrimus). Visual specializations in different sympatric species are subtle but may reflect specializations to specific ecological niches.

Sharks and rays fisheries of the Bay of Bengal at the landing centers of Chittagong and Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh

The study was conducted on the species composition and percentage contribution of sharks and rays from two landing centers (Fishery ghat, Chittagong and BFDC fish harbour, Cox’s Bazar) during 2011-2012 fiscal year. A total 10 species of sharks belonging to 3 families and 14 species of rays belonging to 8 families were recorded. Total landings of sharks and rays by weight were 382.67 MT of which 136.45 MT was sharks and 246.22 MT was rays. A total 479661 numbers of sharks and rays were landed of which 449133 were sharks and 30528 were rays but contribution of sharks and rays were 35.66% and 64.34%, respectively by weight. The highest landing was 70.94 MT in the month of October, 2011 and lowest landing was 6.05 MT in the month of January, 2012. The highest landing of shark species was Scoliodon laticaudus (84.52 MT) (22.09%) and lowest was Carcharhinus sorrah (0.01MT) and the maximum and minimum landing of rays species were Himantura uarnak (164.42MT) (42.97%) and Aetobatus narinari (0.03% MT), respectively.Bangladesh J. Zool. 41(1): 49-60, 2013

The cestode order Rhinebothriidea no longer family-less: A molecular phylogenetic investigation with erection of two new families and description of eight new species of Anthocephalum.

The spiral intestines of a total of 30 specimens of 14 species of batoids from around the world were examined for rhinebothriideans. These consisted of Taeniura grabata, Dasyatis margaritella, and Dasyatis sp. from Senegal, Dasyatis americana from Florida, Dasyatis dipterura and Dasyatis longa from México, Himantura jenkinsii, Himantura leoparda, Himantura uarnak 2, Urogymnus asperrimus 1, and Neotrygon kuhlii 4 from Australia, in addition to Himantura uarnacoides and Neotrygon kuhlii 1 from Borneo. Each of these hosted one or more species of Anthocephalum. Eleven of the cestode species were new to science; four represented described species. In addition, Urotrygon aspidura from Costa Rica hosted a species of Escherbothrium. Sufficient material was available for formal description of the following eight species of Anthocephalum: A. decrisantisorum n. sp., A. healyae n. sp., A. jensenae n. sp., A. mattisi n. sp., A. meadowsi n. sp., A. odonnellae n. sp., A. papefayi n. sp., and A. philruschi n. sp. These species differ from their nine described congeners in overall size, number of proglottids and marginal loculi, number and arrangement of testes, apical sucker size, arrangement and distribution of vitelline follicles particularly with respect in the post-poral field, and muscularity of the genital pore. The diagnosis of Anthocephalum is emended slightly to accommodate these new species. Material of four previously described Anthocephalum species, seven of the novel Anthocephalum species described here, 3 undescribed Anthocephalum species, and the species of Escherbothrium was preserved in 95% ethanol and partial 28S rDNA (D1-D3) and complete 18S rDNA sequence data were generated de novo. These data were combined with data from GenBank for Anthocephalum cf. centrurum (recognized as A. mattisi n. sp. below) and 29 species representing 12 other putative rhinebothriidean genera. Phylogenetic analyses using Bayesian Inference and Maximum Likelihood methods were conducted using a total of five representatives of the Lecanicephalidea, Cathetocephalidea and "Tetraphyllidea" as outgroups. The analyses yielded trees that were largely congruent and that supported the existence of four major subgroups of rhinebothriideans. Family designations were established for each of these clades. Echeneibothriidae was elevated from subfamily to family level to accommodate the group consisting of Echeneibothrium and Pseudanthobothrium; this family is unique in retaining the apical organ (as a myzorhynchus) into adulthood. Rhinebothriidae was elevated from subfamily to family level to accommodate the group consisting of Rhabdotobothrium, Rhinebothrium, Rhinebothroides, Rhodobothrium, Scalithrium and Spongiobothrium. This family is distinctive in its lack of apical suckers and also of a definitive anterior/posterior orientation to the bothridia. Anthocephaliidae n. fam. was established to house Anthocephalum and taxa identified as New Genus 1, New Genus 2, and New Genus 4 by previous authors. The bothridia of its members exhibit a conspicuous anterior/posterior orientation signaled by the presence of an apical sucker. In addition, its members bear marginal loculi or one or more rows of facial loculi and vitelline follicles that are usually interrupted by the ovary. Escherbothriidae n. fam. was established to house Escherbothrium and the taxon identified as New Genus 3 by previous authors. It most closely resembles Anthocephaliidae but the facial loculi are arranged in columns anteriorly and rows posteriorly, rather than arranged in multiple rows or entirely lacking. A key to the families is also provided.