RESEARCH ARTICLE

First record of the Banded Guitarfish, Zapteryx exasperata (Rhinopristiformes: Trygonorrhinidae), in central California, USA

Rachel M. Aitchison, Gammon N. Koval & David A. Ebert

Abstract

The recent ocean-warming events along the California coast have extended the northern range of several elasmobranch species. The Banded Guitarfish, Zapteryx exasperata , is a poorly known shallow-water batoid, typically found in warm-temperate to tropical waters of southern California, USA and the Gulf of California, Mexico. During a Baited Remote Underwater Video Station (BRUVS) survey in October 2020, an unusual batoid identified as Z. exasperata was observed at a depth of 2.5 m. This individual was within the Point Lobos State Marine Reserve in Monterey County, central California, extending its range by at least 260 km northwards. A key to the California species of guitarfishes and Thornback Ray is provided.

CITATION:

Aitchison, R.M., Koval, G.N. & Ebert, D.A. (2021) First record of the Banded Guitarfish, Zapteryx exasperata (Rhinopristiformes: Trygonorrhinidae), in central California, USA. Journal of the Ocean Science Foundation, 38, 131-137

https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.5807911

publication date: 29 December 2021