Taxon name
Torpedo sinuspersici
Olfers, 1831
Uploaded by
National Red List Database
Taxonomic information
Scientific name
Torpedo sinuspersici
Olfers, 1831
Assessed taxon level
Species
Higher level taxonomic groupings
Vertebrates
Fishes
Species authority
Olfers, 1831
Taxonomic notes and synonyms listed
This species was described with no type specimen and locality, but it has been presumed to be from the Arabian Gulf (Wallace 1967, Compagno 1986, Carvalho et al. 2002). It is considered to be one of the most widely distributed electric rays of the Western Indian Ocean (Carvalho et al. 2002, Last et al. 2016). However, the status of this species is uncertain as it is possibly a species-complex (Last et al. 2016). It is highly variable and confused with the Panther Torpedo (Torpedo panthera) (Last et al. 2016). The present account is therefore provisional, and in the event that species within the complex are better delineated, reassessment will be required (this may result in the status of electric rays being revised upwards, on the basis of small populations with localized distributions).
Location and scope
Specific locality or subnational name or regional name
United Arab Emirates (the)
Scope (of the Assessment)
National
Countries included within the scope of the assessment
United Arab Emirates (the)
Does the assessment cover a marine EEZ area(s)?
Not_assigned
Conservation Status
Assessed as
Data Deficient
Criteria system used
IUCN
(see Assessment details)
Assessment rationale/justification
The Gulf Torpedo occurs throughout UAE waters. However, the presently recognised species is likely a species-complex of several localized species and taxonomic examination is required to clarify the status of the species. Torpedo species are often confused in the region and species-specific data are therefore limited. It can be taken and discarded as bycatch in trawl fisheries, which may be a threat considering the species likely has a low survivorship of this activity. Due to taxonomic uncertainty, little is known on its distribution, population, ecology and potential threats in the UAE; therefore, it is listed as Data Deficient.
Assessment details
Assessors/contributors/reviewers listed
UAE National Red List Workshop
Criteria system used
IUCN
Reference for methods given
IUCN. 2012. IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria: Version 3.1, Second edition. IUCN, Gland, Switzerland and Cambridge, UK. iv + 32pp pp. And IUCN. 2012. Guidelines for Application of IUCN Red List Criteria at Regional and National Levels: Version 4.0. Gland, Switzerland and Cambridge, UK: IUCN. iii + 41pp.
Further information
Endemism (according to assessment)
Endemic to region
Not assigned
Taxon distribution as listed in assessment
The Gulf Torpedo occurs throughout UAE waters (Randall 1995, Field 2005). Globally, it occurs widely in the Western Indian Ocean from India to southern Africa; however, this is possibly a species-complex of several distinct and possibly highly localized endemic species (Last et al. 2016). The form occurring in India is genetically distinct and likely represents a different species (K.K. Bineesh pers. comm. 05/02/2017).
Is there a map available in assessment?
Yes
Habitat and systems
Ecological system type
Habitat
Habitat details as listed in assessment
The Gulf Torpedo is found in shallow waters in sandy areas and near reefs and also well offshore to 200 m (Compagno et al. 1989). Little known of the species' biology or ecology. It is viviparous, like other electric rays, and reported to have litters of 9 to 22 young (Compagno et al. 1989). It reaches ~130 cm TL, but mostly less than 100 cm TL (Compagno et al. 1989).
Threats and conservation measures listed
Threats listed in assessment
Potential impacts from fisheries will need review upon resolution of taxonomic uncertainty. Corals in the UAE and Arabian Gulf have severely declined due to the increasing frequency of mass bleaching events caused by rising water temperatures, which is a consequence of climate change, as well as pervasive coastal development (Riegl et al. 2018, Burt et al. 2019).
Publication
Ralph, G.M., Stump, E., Linardich, C., Bullock, R.W., Carpenter, K.E., Allen D.J., Hilton-Taylor, C., Al Mheiri, R., and Alshamsi, O. 2021. UAE National Red List of Marine Species: Reef-building corals, cartilaginous fishes and select bony fishes. 2021. Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
