The Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) announced its discovery of a new Eagle Ray species in Abu Dhabi waters. The new species (Aetomylaeus wafickii) was discovered from specimens collected in the Arabian Gulf during the Fisheries Resource Assessment (FRAS) which was carried out in 2016.
The specimens were collected with other specimens of elasmobranchs and fish. During that time the Eagle Ray was identified as the Banded Eagle Ray (Aetomylaeus nichofii), which is very similar in appearance. However, it was then considered new after thorough examination and the publishing of a scientific paper highlighting its astute physical description.
The newly described species can be distinguished from similar species - the Blue-banded Eagle Ray (Aetomylaeus caeruleofasciatus) and Banded Eagle Ray (Aetomylaeus nichofii), by having a larger number of pale blue bands across its dorsal surface (8-10 bands), a larger number of tooth plate rows, and a shorter tail. This description was published in the Marine Biodiversity Journal on the February 11, 2022.
Ahmed Al Hashmi, Executive Director of Terrestrial and Marine Biodiversity Division at EAD said: “To ensure longevity and sustainability of our species, at EAD we engage in extensive rehabilitation programmes so that our species can thrive for future generations and enjoy the breadth and beauty of Abu Dhabi’s biodiversity.”
Fisheries surveys in the United Arab Emirates waters have made it possible to collect many specimens in the Arabian Gulf, that were then examined and compared to other regional variants of the species. Over 600 specimens of fish were collected along with several elasmobranchs. Specimens collected and measured have been deposited into fish collections at the California Academy of Science (CAS), Museum of Comparative Zoology (MCZ), Harvard, and United States National Museum Smithsonian (USNM).
Batoidea family (rays) is closely related to the shark family and includes rays, skates, guitarfish and sawfish. There are over 630 batoid species altogether. Like sharks, their skeletons are composed entirely of cartilage rather than bone. Batoids are typically flattish in shape and are generically referred to ‘flat sharks’. Most batoids are bottom feeders, digging up shrimps and crustaceans from the ocean floor which helps to oxygenate the sediment and maintain a healthy ecosystem.
Eagle rays are demersal and semi-pelagic rays with a circumglobal distribution where most species can be found near coastlines. Their body size ranges from medium to large (60 to over 200cm disc width) with a wing-like shaped frame. Eagle rays use their robust jaws and plate like teeth to feed on molluscs and crustaceans, as well as worms and small boney fish.
The Arabian Gulf is characterized by extreme fluctuating environment with surface sea temperatures (SSTs) ranges exceeding 20˚C. In summer SSTs reach over 36˚C in the shallow southern basin, and a minimum of 12˚C in winter. The Arabian Gulf also exhibits extreme salinity due to high evaporative rates.