Work

First record of leucism in spotted eagle ray, Aetobatus narinari (Elasmobranchii, Myliobatiformes, Aetobatidae)

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: This paper reports the first record of leucism in the spotted eagle ray, Aetobatus narinari (Euphrasen, 1790). The specimen was captured on the coast of Seybaplaya, Campeche, on 15 August 2025, using a 20 cm mesh-size gillnet. The disc length and disc width of the leucistic specimen were 376 mm and 656 mm, respectively, and the gutted weight was 3.895 kg. This report contributes to the current knowledge of chromatic abnormalities in elasmobranchs in the southern Gulf of Mexico, which now includes four species. The cause of leucism in this ray remains unknown. Further studies and monitoring are important to identify possible causes of this abnormality, taking into account the health of the specimens and their environmental interactions.

Source: Acta Ichthyologica Et Piscatoria

DOI: 10.3897/aiep.55.169406

Authors: Armando T. Wakida-Kusunoki, Ivan Oribe-Perez, Vicente Anislado-Tolentino, Luis Fernando Del Moral-Flores, Adrián Enrique Chi Duran

Institution: Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México

Language: English

Topic: Ichthyology and Marine Biology

Subfield: Nature and Landscape Conservation

Field: Environmental Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDG: Life below water

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $593