title: A new species of wedgefish, Rhynchobatus immaculatus (Chondrichthyes, Rhynchobatidae), from Taiwan.
abstract: A new species of wedgefish, Rhynchobatus immaculatus sp. nov., is described from a small collection of specimens obtained from fish markets in northern Taiwan. It is probably a medium-sized species (probably attaining ca. 1.5 m TL) because the largest known specimen, an immature male (ca. I m TL), has prolongated dorsal and caudal fins typical of adult wedgefishes. Rhynchobatus immaculatus is unique within the family in having a very high vertebral count (within the range of 165-170 total free centra) and in lacking a dark pectoral marking. Other Rhynchobatus species occurring in Taiwanese seas appear to attain a larger adult size, possess a dark pectoral marking at least in young, and have lower vertebral counts (fewer than 161 total fee centra). Rhynchobatus yentinesis, which was described from a specimen taken nearby at Wenzhou, China, has not yet been attributed to a currently recognised species. However, based on the illustration of the holotype, which reveals a broad-snouted species with a dark pectoral spot, it is closest to either R. palpebratus or R. springeri.
authors.forename: Peter R
authors.initials: PR
authors.lastname: Last
authors.forename: Hsuan-Ching
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Ho
authors.forename: Rou-Rong
authors.initials: RR
authors.lastname: Chen
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003710:Demography; D018940:Elasmobranchii / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000145:classification*; D034582:Integumentary System; D008297:Male; D013045:Species Specificity; D013624:Taiwan