First record of three Batoid species in the Persian Gulf

Batoidfishes are one of the most important groups of by-catch in the Persian Gulf. This survey was done for identification of skates and rays, inhabiting in the Persian Gulf and Omen Sea waters (Hormuzgan Province). The samples were collected by bottom trawl. The identified Skates were Rhinbatus granulatus, R. punctifer and Rhina ancylostoma (Rhinobatidae) and Rhynchobatus djiddensis (Rhynchobatidae). Mobula diabulus (Mobulidae), Himantura gerrardi, Himantura sp., Himantura imbricata, Urogymnus africanus, Pastinachus sephen, Himantura uarnak (Dasyatidae), Gymnura poecilura (Gymnuridae), Rhinoptera javanica (Rhinopteridae) and Aetobatos flagellum, Aetobatus narinari, Aetomylaeus nichofii and Aetomylaeus maculates (Myliobatidae) were recognized, that all belonged to Rays group. In addition, Torpedo sinuspesici and T. panthera (Torpedinidae) and Narcine sp. (Narcinidae) were reported from other families. Furthermore, Narcine sp., Himantura sp. and Urogymnus africanus are reported for the first time in the study area.