Taxonomy and length-weight relationship of torpedo electric rays of the genus Torpedo (Pisces: Torpedinidae) off Visakhapatnam coast of India

Abstract

Torpedo electric rays are caught as bycatch in demersal fisheries including coastal artisanal fisheries in trammel nets and in trawls. At present, species under this group are assessed as ‘data deficient’ (DD) globally due to very little information available on catch and population trends. Of the 22 species of the genus Torpedo, 4 species viz., T. fuscomaculata, T. marmorata, T. panthera and T. sinuspersici are represented in the catches at Visakhapatnam, along the east coast of India. The present paper deals with taxonomy and length-weight relationship of the above four species of torpedo electric rays. The present record of Torpedo marmorata from east coast of India extends its range to the Indian Ocean.