Fisheries Research Articles
First record of Mobula japanica on the west coast of Australia
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
7-15-2014
Journal Title
Marine Biodiversity Records
Keywords
Live transport, Commercial crustaceans, Immune parameters, Stress responses, Health management, Handling
Disciplines
Aquaculture and Fisheries | Marine Biology
Abstract
A spinetail devilray (Mobula japanica) was recorded for the first time in the western waters of Australia. The beach-stranded individual was observed in March 2013 on the southern coast of Western Australia (latitude 34.8811°S, longitude 118.4079°E). This is the southernmost record of this species in Australian waters. Previous Australian records of this species have been restricted to the east coast, where sightings have been within the latitudinal range of 14–33°S. The individual observed in Western Australia was a mature male, with a disc width of 257 cm. The occurrence coincided with the maximum recorded summer sea surface temperature (22.0°C) along the southern coast of Western Australia and an abnormally strong flow in the Leeuwin Current for that time of year.
Recommended Citation
Smith, K,
Pearce, A,
Dowling, C,
and
Fotedar, S.
(2014), First record of Mobula japanica on the west coast of Australia. Marine Biodiversity Records, 7, e69.
https://library.dpird.wa.gov.au/fr_fja/138
