2021 Vol.27 No.2 PP 298­-300

https://doi.org/10.33451/florafauna.v27i2pp298-300

First report on occurrence of smooth back guitar fish, Rhinobatos lionotus from Pondicherry (Puducherry) coastal waters, South east coast of India

^*S. Nithya Mary, V. Ravitchandirane and B. Gunalan¹

Department of Zoology,
Kanchi Mamunivar Government Institute for Post Graduate Studies and Research,
Pondicherry University, PUDUCHERRY, INDIA.
¹Department of Zoology,
Thiru Kolanjiappar Government Arts College,
VIRUDHACHALAM, Thiruvalluvar University,
(TAMILNADU) INDIA
*Corresponding Author : Email : sofinithy@gmail.com, Orcid id: 0000-0003-4183-7520

ABSTRACT

There is no aimed fishery for guitar fish in India, but these are mainly caught as bycatch of bottom set gill net and trawl fisheries. Batoids, particularly rays and guitar fish occupies more than 50% of the total elasmobranch landings in India. Basically there is no study on diversity and taxonomy of skates in India. In the present study Smooth back Guitar fish, Rhinobatos lionotus recorded as a first report in Pondicherry coastal waters.

Key words : Batoids, First report in Pondicherry coastal waters, Guitar fish, Nallavadu, Skates, Smoothback.