Embryonic malformations in an offspring of the shortnose guitarfish

Abstract

Embryonic malformations in an offspring of the shortnose guitarfish Embryonic malformations can be a result of exposure toxic substances (pollution), lack of nutrients, physical restraint, genetic disorders, or infections and diseases. Such malformations can be classified according to severity and offspring survival outside the uterus. Moreover, abnormalities are normally restricted to a small portion of the litter, mostly, to only one embryo. Here, we report a case of congenital malformation dominance in an offspring of the shortnose guitarfish and compare it with other abnormalities commonly reported in batoids in addition to discussing the possible causes involved in the observed deformities.

Morphological abnormalities in the Chilean Eagle ray Myliobatis chilensis (Myliobatiformes: Myliobatidae) off the Peruvian coast, Southeast Pacific

“…Of the three anomalies, the second one (PESY-010201) -lack of fusion between head and 昀椀nsis the most frequent (Table 3). This condition has been reported in other batoid species such as Raja asterias (Moreau, 1881;Bureau, 1890;Pellegrin, 1900;Jugeat, 1921, 1926, cited by Ribeiro-Prado et al (2008), R. clavata (Vaillant, 1908;Williamson, 1909;Legendre, 1936;Du Buit, 1967;Jurden andHomen, 1977, cited by Ribeiro-Prado et al 2008), Gymnra poecilura (Day, 1878, cited by Suresh and Ra昀케 2012;Bennett, 1964;Easarwan, 1967, cited et al, 2011) and Zapteryx brevirostris (Wosnick et al, 2019).…”

“…There are fewer reports on rays compared to sharks, possibly due to a low commercial interest; which are less targeted by 昀椀sheries (Hoenig and Walsh, 1983). The anomalies described include unusual characteristics such as a lack of fusion of the pectoral 昀椀n to the head (Ribeiro-Prado et al, 2008;Escobar-Sánchez et al, 2009;Mnsari et al, 2010;Blanco-Parra and Niño-Torres, 2011;Mejía-Falla et al, 2011;Suresh and Ra昀케, 2012;Wosnick et al, 2019), albinism and leucism (De Jesus-Roldan, 1990;Quigley et al, 2018), tail anomalies (Orlov, 2011;Bhagyalekshmi and Kumar, 2019;Marouani et al, 2019), internal aberrations (Ribeiro-Prado et al, 2008;Torres-Huerta et al, 2015), and cephalic and pelvic 昀椀n anomalies (Da Ehemann et al, 2021).…”

Morphological abnormalities in seven American round ray specimens: A review of America's batomorph anomalies

“…Like bicephaly and albinism, most of the other morphological abnormalities recorded for batomorph specimens (e.g., anophthalmia, single clasper, chondrocranium deformity) are hypothesized to occur at a prenatal stage (Burgos‐Vázquez et al., 2019; Gomes et al., 1991; Hauser‐Davis et al., 2020; Soto‐López et al., 2021; Wosnick et al., 2019) due to the lack of any external scars. Medically, anophthalmia is described as the absence of one or both eyes caused by failures during the developmental stage of the optic pit and nerves from the forebrain (Twining, 2007; Verma & Fitzpatrick, 2007).…”

“…Abnormalities related to bicephaly, albinism, dorsal fold and hermaphroditism cases have been more or less obviously attributed to genetic and hereditary disorders (Jones et al., 2016; Lara‐Mendoza & Guerra‐Jiménez, 2020; Nunes & Piorski, 2009; Sandoval‐Castillo et al., 2006). In contrast, the aetiology of cases of anophthalmos, pectoral fins not fused to the head, spinal malformation and clasper malformation, was more general, with genetic disorders, poor nutrition, diseases, high metal concentration and water pollution being the most frequently cited (Anislado‐Tolentino et al., 2016; Ehemann & González‐González, 2018; Hauser‐Davis et al., 2020; Mancini et al., 2006; Mejía‐Falla et al., 2011; Ribeiro‐Prado et al., 2008, 2009; Soto‐López et al., 2021; Torres‐Huerta et al., 2015; Wosnick et al., 2019). In this sense, without an adequate study of the tissue responses of the anomalies, the uncertainty regarding developmental or trauma‐related defects increases, highlighting the need for research to determine the genetic basis of congenital defects and disabilities.…”

Deformities in fish: A barrier for responsible aquaculture and sustainable fisheries

“…Various toxic substances, lack of nutrients, physical restraint, genetic disorders, and the disease affect embryonic development and cause deformities in fish. [40][41][42] Abnormal, asymmetrical cleavage occurs during embryonic development, which affects the morphology, anatomy and physiology of fish and can be detected by a microscopic and histopathological examination. We propose that this review paper will be very useful in addressing the challenge of fish deformities and important insights to optimise aquaculture production and ensure the overall sustainability of aquatic ecosystems.…”