Narcine Research Articles

Narcine bentuviai, a new torpedinoid ray from the Northern Red Sea

ABSTRACT A new species of electric ray, Narcine bentuviai, superfamily Torpedinoidea, family Narcinidae, is described from seven specimens collected from 80–200 m in the Gulf of Elat (= Gulf of 'Aqaba) off the Sinai Peninsula. It is readily distinguished from the 12 other described species of the genus Narcine by having a much larger first than second dorsal fin and by a distinctive color pattern: brown with a pair of large black spots posteriorly on the disc, one on the first dorsal fin, one on the upper lobe of the caudal fin, and blackish over most of the dorsal surface of the electric organs. Heteronarce Regan is regarded as a junior synonym of Narcine Henle.

Trophic and reproductive aspects of some batoids caught at Santa Marta in the Colombian Caribbean Sea

This paper presents the reproductive condition and feeding spectrum of four batoid species caught as bycatch by artisanal fishermen in two sectors of the Colombian Caribbean Sea between August 2005 and September 2006. Specimens were evaluated from a total of 570 hauls done off Salguero beach and 149 off Don Jaca, with sampling periods of 12 to 26 days per month. The total and relative abundance of the batoids caught were determined, as were the sexual proportion and representativity of each sexual maturity stage. Specimens sampled were: 176 Narcine bancroftii (127 females, 49 males); 167 Rhinobatos percellens (83 females, 84 males); 237 Urotrygon venezuelae (126 females, 111 males), and 119 Dasyatis guttata (58 females, 61 males). Although specimens from all stages of maturity were caught, the immature (I) and mature (III) stages were dominant. Based on the sexual proportion obtained, no marked spatial-temporal segregation was observed. The overall diet consisted of crustaceans, annelids, and teleosts, with unique food preferences that allow the sampled species to avoid interspecific competition.

Codeine and Narcine.

<h3>Ed. The Journal:</h3> —I have read with much interest Dr. J. B. Mattison's paper on Codeine and Narcine vice Morphia. I write this note to indorse with emphasis every word Dr. Mattison says in favor of codeine over morphia. I have used codeine daily for more than fifteen years to the entire exclusion of morphia, and never had any one to form the codeine habit, and never increase the dose. I am sir, very truly,