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Distribution and Abundance of Coastal Elasmobranchs in Tenerife (Canary Islands, NE Atlantic Ocean) with Emphasis on the Bull Ray, Aetomylaeus bovinus

Thalassas: An International Journal of Marine Sciences volume 38, pages 723–731 (2022)Cite this article

A Correction to this article was published on 11 October 2021

This article has been updated

Abstract

The current status of the elasmobranchs’ populations and distribution in the Canary Islands is uncertain. Here we investigate the abundance and distribution patterns of coastal elasmobranchs of Tenerife, with a special attention on the Aetomylaeus bovinus population using a photo-identification methodology. A total of 35 visual surveys were conducted in 5 coastal areas, in which pictures were taken every time an elasmobranch individual was sighted to conduct further biometry analyses. For A. bovinus sightings, pictures were used to identify each individual. Relative abundances and sex-ratios of the elasmobranchs recorded were calculated. The Western Coastline of the island was more diverse, showing 8 species out of the 9-total observed. The photo-identification technique allowed a preliminary estimation of the population size of A. bovinus in El Palmar area with 10 individuals identified and 10 re-sightings over a period of 12 months. This study provides the first relevant information regarding broad distribution, abundance and diversity of coastal elasmobranchs around Tenerife. The study also provides information regarding site fidelity of 3 mature individuals of Aetomylaeus bovinus in the South West area.

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Acknowledgements

We would like to thank Alberto Brito and Sabrina Clemente from La Laguna University. Also, we thank all the volunteers that willingly accompanied me during the surveys of this study, specially to Mr. Samuel Bello Alonso. We thank National Geographic Society and Oceanário de Lisboa for the support.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. International Master of Marine Biological Resources (IMBRSea), Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium

    Jorge Moreno

  2. Institute of Marine Research (IMAR), University of the Azores, Horta, Portugal

    Silvio E. Solleliet-Ferreira

  3. Departamento de Ecología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Católica de La Santísima, Conceptión, Conceptión, Chile

    R. Riera

  4. IU-ECOAQUA, Grupo en Biodiversidad y Conservación, Departamento de Biología, Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Las Palmas, España

    R. Riera

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  1. Jorge Moreno
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  2. Silvio E. Solleliet-Ferreira
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  3. R. Riera
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Correspondence to Jorge Moreno.

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Moreno, J., Solleliet-Ferreira, S.E. & Riera, R. Distribution and Abundance of Coastal Elasmobranchs in Tenerife (Canary Islands, NE Atlantic Ocean) with Emphasis on the Bull Ray, Aetomylaeus bovinus. Thalassas 38, 723–731 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s41208-021-00316-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s41208-021-00316-1

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