An Updated Checklist of Indian Batoids with New Distributional Records and Conservation Status

Authors

  • Bineesh K. K.
     Marine Biology Regional Centre, Zoological Survey of India, Chennai, Tamil Nadu
  • Ida E. G.
     Marine Biology Regional Centre, Zoological Survey of India, Chennai, Tamil Nadu
  • Nashad M.
     Fishery Survey of India, Mormugao Zonal Base, Mormugao - 403803, Goa
  • Rajendra Kumar
     Marine Biology Regional Centre, Zoological Survey of India, Chennai, Tamil Nadu
  • Rajkumar Rajan
     Marine Biology Regional Centre, Zoological Survey of India, Chennai, Tamil Nadu
  • Anil Mohapatra
     Estuarine Biology Regional Centre, Zoological Survey of India, Ganjam-761002, Odisha

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.26515/rzsi/v123/i2S/2023/172540

Keywords:

Rhinopristiformes, species composition, diversity, Indian EEZ, Conservation

Abstract

The present paper is an attempt to provide new information on taxonomy, current distribution, and conservation status of batoids in India. This study is based on the landing site surveys conducted during the years 2017-2022 at major fish landing centres across India. The present study updated the checklist of Indian batoids to 77 valid species. They were caught in commercial and artisanal fisheries of India and several of them were caught as bycatch. Among the deep water batoids, Dipturus spp, Torpedo spp. and the Dark blind ray Benthobatis moresbyi were frequently observed in the deepwater trawl bycatch. Distributions of batoids were highly variable along the Indian coasts. Landing centre survey shows that distribution of Stripenose guitarfish Acroteriobatus variegatus is restricted to southern cost of India. Similarly Smoothback guitarfish Rhinobatos lionotus is restricted to east coast of India from Kilakarai, Tamil Nadu to Hoogly, West Bengal. In addition, distributional ranges of several batoid species in Indian waters were extended; Brown sting ray Bathytoshia lata and Smalleye stingray Megatrygon microps are new record to Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Indian Guitarfishes and Wedgefishes are declining drastically due to fishing pressure and habitat destruction, 21% of the species is Vulnerable and 19% are Endangered, 16% are Critically Endangered, and 7% Near Threatened respectively.

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Published

2023-07-01

How to Cite

K. K., B., E. G., I., M., N., Kumar, R., Rajan, R., & Mohapatra, A. (2023). An Updated Checklist of Indian Batoids with New Distributional Records and Conservation Status. Records of the Zoological Survey of India, 123(2S), 489–498. https://doi.org/10.26515/rzsi/v123/i2S/2023/172540

Issue

Volume 123, Issue 2S, Special Issue 2023

Section

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