Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
Zoology in the Middle East, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
Knowledge of the distribution and reproductive habitats of the Lusitanian cownose ray (Rhinoptera marginata) in the northeastern Mediterranean remains limited, and potential nursery areas for the species have not yet been clearly identified. This study reports new records of pregnant females and newborn individuals and reviews available occurrence data to evaluate whether İskenderun and Mersin Bays may function as potential nursery habitats. Opportunistic records obtained from fisheries and observational sources were compiled together with newly documented captures from the northeastern Mediterranean coast of Türkiye, and spatial and seasonal patterns were examined. The combined dataset provides additional insight into the seasonal occurrence of pregnant females and near-term embryos in the region. Recurrent records from İskenderun and Mersin Bays suggest that these coastal areas may represent a potential nursery habitat. Environmental conditions, including muddy shelf sediments enriched by riverine inputs, may provide suitable feeding grounds for both adults and juveniles. However, demersal fishing grounds overlap with these areas, potentially exposing vulnerable life stages to fishing pressure. Although the available data are largely opportunistic, the findings highlight the ecological importance of the region and the need to conserve breeding populations in the northeastern Mediterranean.