Annual Recurrence of the Critically Endangered Bowmouth Guitarfish (<i>Rhina ancylostomus</i>) in Djibouti Waters
The bowmouth guitarfish (<i>Rhina ancylostomus</i>) is among the most endangered of marine vertebrates, and evidence of severe declines and localized extinctions has been reported. Yet its life history and ecology suffer from a lack of scientific attention due to the scarcity and unpredi...
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| Format: | Article |
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MDPI AG
2023-10-01
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| Series: | Biology |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2079-7737/12/10/1302 |
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| author | Ginevra Boldrocchi David Robinson Simone Caprodossi Emilio Mancuso Moussa Omar Jennifer V. Schmidt |
| author_facet | Ginevra Boldrocchi David Robinson Simone Caprodossi Emilio Mancuso Moussa Omar Jennifer V. Schmidt |
| author_sort | Ginevra Boldrocchi |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The bowmouth guitarfish (<i>Rhina ancylostomus</i>) is among the most endangered of marine vertebrates, and evidence of severe declines and localized extinctions has been reported. Yet its life history and ecology suffer from a lack of scientific attention due to the scarcity and unpredictable movements of the species. By collecting opportunistic records from 2015 to 2023 during diving activities, this study describes for the first time the occurrence of a predictable aggregation of <i>R. ancylostomus</i> in the Gulf of Tadjoura (Djibouti). These data provide a key record of this species in the area, whose presence is strongly associated with sandy seabeds and corals at approximately 35 m depth. Based on the opportunistic sightings of <i>R. ancylostomus</i> during diving activity, Ras Eiro and Ras Korali appear to be the currently known core habitats for this species and may serve as breeding or feeding grounds. Overall, our data show that the Gulf of Tadjoura is a globally important conservation hotspot, and therefore its protection should be prioritized. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T21:25:26Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-6823ef5fcce74ceb992f548bb7edcb8f |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2079-7737 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T21:25:26Z |
| publishDate | 2023-10-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Biology |
| spelling | doaj.art-6823ef5fcce74ceb992f548bb7edcb8f2023-11-19T15:43:22ZengMDPI AGBiology2079-77372023-10-011210130210.3390/biology12101302Annual Recurrence of the Critically Endangered Bowmouth Guitarfish (<i>Rhina ancylostomus</i>) in Djibouti WatersGinevra Boldrocchi0David Robinson1Simone Caprodossi2Emilio Mancuso3Moussa Omar4Jennifer V. Schmidt5Department of Human Sciences, Innovation and Territory, University of Insubria, Via Valleggio 11, 22100 Como, ItalySundive Research, Byron Shire, NSW 2481, AustraliaMarine Megafauna Foundation, West Palm Beach, FL 33411, USAVerdeacqua—Istituto per gli Studi sul Mare, Via Mac Mahon 33, 20155 Milan, ItalyCentre d’Etude et de Recherche de Djibouti, Route de L’aéroport, Djibouti P.O. Box B.P.486, DjiboutiThe Shark Research Institute, Princeton, NJ 08540, USAThe bowmouth guitarfish (<i>Rhina ancylostomus</i>) is among the most endangered of marine vertebrates, and evidence of severe declines and localized extinctions has been reported. Yet its life history and ecology suffer from a lack of scientific attention due to the scarcity and unpredictable movements of the species. By collecting opportunistic records from 2015 to 2023 during diving activities, this study describes for the first time the occurrence of a predictable aggregation of <i>R. ancylostomus</i> in the Gulf of Tadjoura (Djibouti). These data provide a key record of this species in the area, whose presence is strongly associated with sandy seabeds and corals at approximately 35 m depth. Based on the opportunistic sightings of <i>R. ancylostomus</i> during diving activity, Ras Eiro and Ras Korali appear to be the currently known core habitats for this species and may serve as breeding or feeding grounds. Overall, our data show that the Gulf of Tadjoura is a globally important conservation hotspot, and therefore its protection should be prioritized.https://www.mdpi.com/2079-7737/12/10/1302<i>Rhina ancylostomus</i>Gulf of Adensharkraywedgefishguitarfish |
| spellingShingle | Ginevra Boldrocchi David Robinson Simone Caprodossi Emilio Mancuso Moussa Omar Jennifer V. Schmidt Annual Recurrence of the Critically Endangered Bowmouth Guitarfish (<i>Rhina ancylostomus</i>) in Djibouti Waters Biology <i>Rhina ancylostomus</i> Gulf of Aden shark ray wedgefish guitarfish |
| title | Annual Recurrence of the Critically Endangered Bowmouth Guitarfish (<i>Rhina ancylostomus</i>) in Djibouti Waters |
| title_full | Annual Recurrence of the Critically Endangered Bowmouth Guitarfish (<i>Rhina ancylostomus</i>) in Djibouti Waters |
| title_fullStr | Annual Recurrence of the Critically Endangered Bowmouth Guitarfish (<i>Rhina ancylostomus</i>) in Djibouti Waters |
| title_full_unstemmed | Annual Recurrence of the Critically Endangered Bowmouth Guitarfish (<i>Rhina ancylostomus</i>) in Djibouti Waters |
| title_short | Annual Recurrence of the Critically Endangered Bowmouth Guitarfish (<i>Rhina ancylostomus</i>) in Djibouti Waters |
| title_sort | annual recurrence of the critically endangered bowmouth guitarfish i rhina ancylostomus i in djibouti waters |
| topic | <i>Rhina ancylostomus</i> Gulf of Aden shark ray wedgefish guitarfish |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2079-7737/12/10/1302 |
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