Sharks of the Persian (Arabian) Gulf: a first annotated checklist (Chondrichthyes: Elasmobranchii)

摘要

The first evidence-based checklist of sharks of the Persian (Arabian) Gulf is presented based on appraisal of primary literature and new data, including identifications verified by COI barcoding. Evidence of the occurrence of 26 species in the Gulf ispresented, and the possible presence of a further 17 species is discussed. Carcharhinidae is the most species-rich family (16 species) present. The first substantiated Gulf records of the spinner shark Carcharhinus brevipinna, blacktip reef shark C. melanopterus t and scalloped hammerhead Sphyrna lewini are provided, along with a new record of the rarely reported grey nurse shark Carcharias taunts. The diversity of the Gulf's shark fauna, and possible influences on it, are briefly discussed.