New data on maximum size and geographic distribution of the Brazilian stingray Hypanus berthalutzae Petean, Naylor & Lima, 2020 (Batoidea: Myliobatiformes)

Abstract

This study reports the first record of the endemic Lutz's stingray, Hypanus berthalutzae , from Brazil, at the upwelling ecosystem of Cabo Frio, southeastern Brazil. A mature female (2.44 m of total length) was incidentally captured by artisanal fisheries at 7 m depth in January 2025. Molecular identification ( COI , Cytb ), based on DNA barcoding and maximum likelihood phylogenetic analyses, confirmed similarity with H. berthalutzae sequences deposited in GenBank and supported its monophyly. Although the species is distributed from the mouth of the Amazon River to São Paulo, the large size of the specimen documented in this study suggests marked growth associated with highly productive upwelling zones. This record represents the first occurrence for the area, including Cabo Frio, and extends the genetic analysis of the species in southeastern Brazil. These results highlight the importance of integrating morphological analyses with molecular tools to accurately identify species and support conservation actions for endemic species in regions where their populations are vulnerable, enabling a more precise evaluation of species threats and conservation status.

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