title: The first confirmed cases of full albinism in rajid species.
abstract: Three albino skate specimens (Rajidae) were captured from the North Sea and English Channel between 2008 and 2011. Using DNA barcoding (COI gene) and morphometric analyses, species were identified as a spotted ray Raja montagui, a blonde ray Raja brachyura and a thornback ray Raja clavata. This finding represents the first record of full albinism (a lack of skin and retinal pigmentation) in rajid species.
authors.affiliation: College of Life Sciences & Medicine, School of Biological Sciences, Zoology Building, University of Aberdeen, Tillydrone Avenue, Aberdeen, AB24 2TZ, U.K. r.e.ball@abdn.ac.uk
authors.forename: R E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Ball
authors.forename: C S
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Jones
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lynghammar
authors.forename: L R
authors.initials: LR
authors.lastname: Noble
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Griffiths
mesh_terms: D000417:Albinism; D000818:Animals; D058893:DNA Barcoding, Taxonomic; D008297:Male; D009659:North Sea; D010858:Pigmentation / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D012860:Skates, Fish / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*