Limite ao sul da distribuição da raia redonda, Styracura schmardae (POTAMOTRYGONIDAE)

Abstract

Knowledge about a species distribution range is important for understanding its environmental tolerance and needs. This knowledge is also relevant for the development of species-specific conservation strategies. One elasmobranch species that still does not have its distribution range well known is the Caribbean whiptail stingray Styracura schmardae (until recently known as Himantura schmardae). Moreover, this species is considered ‘Data Deficient’ by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN). It is within this context that the present study had the goal of establishing the southernmost distribution range limit for S. schmardae. This was done based on one specimen caught on the coast of Icapuí, Ceará, Brazil, using beach seine net. Several morphological features of the specimen are diagnostic for S. schmardae. In addition, a sequence of the mitochondrial DNA gene NADH-2 obtained for this specimen was 99% similar to S. schmardae homologous sequences available on GenBank after BLAST analyses. The specimen was deposited at the Ichthyological Collection at Department of Biology at the Federal University of Ceará (DBUFC 82). This is the first confirmed record of S. schmardade in the southwest Atlantic.