EC50 2023 honoree, Diego Cardeñosa and collaborators have published a study identifying a new species of stingray found in the Eastern Tropical Pacific (ETP) of Colombia.

Between 2003 and 2023, 90 stingrays were detected during landing and on-board monitoring in artisanal fisheries in the Colombian Pacific that did not match known species of stingrays in the area (H. longus and H. dipterurus). By studying these caught stingrays, Diego and the team were able to identify a new species which they named Hypanus rubioi, Longnose Pacific Stingray. Their recent publication aims to describe the new species and provide information on its biology, ecology, and potential distribution.

The Hypanus rubioi has a brown dorsal disc and tail, with pearl or beige spines and thorns. Its disc shape features a ‘pointed, prominent, and concave snout’ which differs from the other two Hypanus species in the Eastern Tropical Pacific. The Longnose Pacific Stingray is found on the shallow shelf of the eastern Pacific coast of Colombia, where it has been collected in depths between 0.5 to 15 meters in shallow waters or mud habitats.

Diego reflects, “This publication holds a special significance for me as it marks the first time I’ve been involved in describing a new species — a dream I’ve had since childhood. Describing new species is particularly challenging for sharks and rays, especially those not found in the deep ocean.

What makes this discovery even more remarkable is that the species isn’t particularly rare. It is commonly found in fisheries in Colombia and northern Ecuador, yet it has remained unnoticed by science until now. This highlights how much of our oceans, particularly in this region, remains unexplored. You might wonder why it’s important to formally name and describe a species if it’s so common and has been seen by others before. The answer goes beyond its abundance.

There was a publication in 2010 referring to this species as Dasyatis acutirostra, a species known to be common in Ecuadorian coastal longline fisheries. However, the species Dasyatis acutirostra is actually native to the Northwestern Pacific, thousands of kilometers away. Misidentifying species like this can have significant consequences for conservation assessments — not only for the newly described species but also for Dasyatis acutirostra in its native range. Accurately naming and describing species with both morphological and molecular data is essential for understanding biodiversity and making informed decisions about their sustainable management and conservation.

On a personal note, this is the largest vertebrate species ever described by a team of Colombian scientists. As a Colombian scientist, this adds an extra sense of pride to this achievement.”

The publication’s findings contribute to the understanding of the biodiversity of stingrays and the distribution of this novel species in the Eastern Tropical Pacific. Without a system to record ongoing catches, the level of threats facing Hypanus rubioi is uncertain.

The full study by Diego Cardeñosa and his collaborators can be found in Ichthyology & Herpetology here.

Learn more about Diego Cardeñosa, EC50 Class of 2023, and the rest of the incredible members of the EC50 here.