First Record of Morphological Abnormalities in an Embryo of the Longtail Stingray ( <i>Hypanus longus</i> ) From the Ecuadorian Pacific

This short communication reports the first record of multiple morphological anomalies in an embryo of Hypanus longus from Ecuadorian waters. A gravid female H. longus contained two embryos in the uterus: one exhibiting normal morphology and the other presenting several severe anomalies, including an opening in the chondrocranial membrane, separation of the pectoral fins and an incomplete pelvic fin. In addition, a helical torsion of the caudal fin was observed, an anomaly not previously reported in batoids. The deformities observed would likely have severely impaired the embryo's growth and development, drastically reducing its chances of survival.