First substantiated record of the starry ray Raja asterias (Rajidae) from the Syrian coast (Eastern Mediterranean Sea)

Abstract

The present paper reports on the first record of the starry ray Raja asterias Delaroche, 1809, in the Syrian marine waters (eastern Mediterranean Sea). The specimen measured 334 mm in disc width (DW), and weighed 551 g for total body weight (TBW). Morphometric measurements were recorded to the nearest millimeter and reported as percentage of the disc width (%DW). The specimen photographed, preserved in 10% buffered formaldehyde, and deposited in the ichthyological collection of the Fish Laboratory, Agriculture Faculty of Latakia University, Syria. This finding extends the distribution range of the species in the Mediterranean Sea, and contributes to the growing knowledge of chondrichthyan biodiversity from the Syrian coast.