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First record of black mucus and ocular malformations in the round stingray Urobatis halleri (Rajiformes: Urotrygonidae) at the southern Gulf of California, Mexico

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 March 2010

Uriel Rubio-Rodríguez*
Affiliation:
Centro Interdisciplinario de Ciencias Marinas (CICIMAR-IPN), Apartado postal 592, La Paz, Baja California Sur, México, CP 23000
Jessica A. Navarro-González
Affiliation:
Centro Interdisciplinario de Ciencias Marinas (CICIMAR-IPN), Apartado postal 592, La Paz, Baja California Sur, México, CP 23000
Francisco J. Vergara-Solana
Affiliation:
Centro Interdisciplinario de Ciencias Marinas (CICIMAR-IPN), Apartado postal 592, La Paz, Baja California Sur, México, CP 23000
*
Correspondence should be addressed to: U. Rubio-Rodríguez, Centro Interdisciplinario de Ciencias Marinas (CICIMAR-IPN), Apartado postal 592, La Paz, Baja California Sur, México, CP 23000 email: [email protected]
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Abstract

In May–June 2009, thirteen adult individuals of the round stingray Urobatis halleri, with total lengths between 264 and 353 mm, were captured using various fishing gear at La Paz Bay, Baja California Sur, Mexico. The specimens were notable for the presence of ocular malformations, and uniform dark mucus that completely covered the dorsal surface and some portions of the ventral region. These malformations may be a result of one or several factors, including parasitic infection, tumours, or water pollution.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom 2010

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References

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