First Observation of Movement Rates and Repeated Migration in a Western Atlantic Torpedo (Tetronarce occidentalis) in the Northwest Atlantic Ocean
Keith J. Dunton1,*, Kelsey Sparta1, Michael G. Frisk2, Christopher M. Martinez3, and Oliver N. Shipley2
1Department of Biology, Monmouth University, 400 Cedar Avenue, West Long Branch, NJ 07764. 2School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794. 3Department of Evolution and Ecology, University of California, Davis, CA 95616. *Corresponding author.
Northeastern Naturalist,Volume 28, Issue 2 (2021): N7–N14
Abstract
Tetronarce occidentalis (Western Atlantic Torpedo) is a demersal to semi-pelagic batoid, distributed broadly from Nova Scotia to Venezuela, for which data is limited throughout its range. A single individual was captured in the New York Bight and opportunistically tracked through nearshore waters for 2 years using passive acoustic telemetry. The individual showed rapid extensive movements (>250 km) and exhibited continuous use of coastal New York and New Jersey waters during late spring in 2012 and 2013. Observed movements were consistent with captures from fisheries-independent trawl surveys. These observations illustrate that the waters of the Mid-Atlantic Bight may offer important seasonal habitat for Atlantic torpedo rays, providing a preliminary assessment of local movement dynamics.
Download Full-text pdf (Accessible only to subscribers. To subscribe click here.)
Access Journal Content
Open access browsing of table of contents and abstract pages. Full text pdfs available for download for subscribers.
Issue-in-Progress: Vol. 31 (1) ... early view
Check out NENA's latest Monograph: