Distribution of the pelagic stingray, Dasyatis violacea (Bonaparte, 1832), off California, Central America, and worldwide

Abstract

The pelagic stingray, Dasyatis violacea (Bonaparte, 1832), is nearly worldwide in subtropical and tropical seas, and also at temperate latitudes. It is found in the top 100 m over deep water. This paper presents the pelagic stingray distribution off California from by-catch of the California drift gill-net fishery for swordfish during 1990–99 and research longline cruises for pelagic sharks in the southern California Bight. Field data of 28 specimens in the Scripps Institute of Oceanography collection suggested that females in the eastern Pacific population gives birth in warmer water in winter off the coast of Central America and then migrate to higher latitudes including southern California. A worldwide distribution map has been prepared, based on by-catch data from the longline fishery in the central north Pacific, the New Zealand and Australia Exclusive Economic Zone, and location reports of new captures in the literature and personal communications.