First Record of Rhinoptera Brasiliensis (Myliobatiformes, Rhinopteridae) for the State of Maranhão, Brazilian Amazon Coast First Rhinoptera Brasiliensis Record for Maranhão, BAC

The genus Rhinoptera is distributed throughout the tropical, subtropical and temperate waters of the Atlantic Ocean, exhibits pelagic coastal habits, and is common in coastal and estuarine areas. The state of Maranhão, located on the Brazilian Amazon Coast, presents highly productive fishing resources, comprising a source of food and livelihood for most of the coastal and riverside population. This study was carried out at the Raposa municipality fishing landing port, where obtained 22 Rhinoptera brasiliensis specimens over a two-year monitoring period (2022–2024). Concerning sexual maturity, eight individuals were juveniles (36.30%), nine were adults (40.90%) and five were embryos (22.70%). The occurrence of yet another threatened species highlights the ecological importance in the ISRA Reeentrâncias Maranhenses as a critical habitat for coastal elasmobranch species, mainly due to their overexploitation resulting from fishing activities.