Morphological deformities in the pelvic fin and clasper in Potamotrygon marquesi

Morphological deformities in the pelvic fin and clasper in specimens of Potamotrygon marquesi (Chondrichthyes: Myliobatiformes: Potamotrygoninae)

João Paulo Capretz, Batista da Silva, André Luis da Silva Casas

ABSTRACT:

We report deformities in the pelvic fin and clasper skeleton in specimens of Potamotrygon marquesi from Acre, Northwestern Brazil. The malformations involve skeletal deformities in the pelvic girdle, right clasper skeleton, and severe muscular and skeletal deformities in the left or right pelvic fin and clasper, including the loss of all of its terminal components. Descriptions of malformations dealing with elasmobranchs are extensive in the literature and are important for future studies dealing with their probable causes. Nevertheless, although the reasons of these deformities are herein possibly linked to malformation (as a result of stress or chemical contaminants) or predation, the anomalies in the muscular and skeletal components of the pelvic fin and clasper are described in detail and compared to a non‐deformed specimen.

Journal of Applied Ichthyology, Early View, DOI 10.1111/jai.14005

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