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Ecology and Evolution
Article . 2026 . Peer-reviewed
License: CC BY
Data sources: Crossref
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PubMed Central
Article . 2026
License: CC BY
Data sources: PubMed Central
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Aberrant Pigmentation in a Schooling Cownose Ray ( Rhinoptera bonasus ) in Chesapeake Bay, Virginia, USA

Authors: Morgan F. Bennett‐Smith; Taylor Griffith; Helena Janulis; Eloise B. Richardson; Stephen J. Tomasetti;

Aberrant Pigmentation in a Schooling Cownose Ray ( Rhinoptera bonasus ) in Chesapeake Bay, Virginia, USA

Abstract

ABSTRACT While pigmentation disorders such as albinism have been documented in a range of elasmobranch species, including the American cownose ray ( Rhinoptera bonasus ), the implications of these rare conditions for behavior, social dynamics, and fitness remain speculative and unverified. Here, we report a case of aberrant pigmentation in a single cownose ray observed schooling among conspecifics in the nearshore waters of Chesapeake Bay, Virginia, USA. The individual displayed pronounced white coloration against a notably dark dorsal surface of both pectoral fins, contrasting sharply with the otherwise uniform brown tones of the surrounding rays. The ray was fully integrated into the school and exhibited no abnormal behavior, suggesting that this pigmentation anomaly did not disrupt social dynamics. This observation augments the small but growing number of reports of pigmentation disorders in R. bonasus , suggesting that important social acceptances required for incorporation into the aggregation were unimpeded by the aberrant pigmentation.

Keywords

Nature Notes

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selected citations
These citations are derived from selected sources.
This is an alternative to the "Influence" indicator, which also reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
BIP!Citations provided by BIP!
popularity
This indicator reflects the "current" impact/attention (the "hype") of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network.
BIP!Popularity provided by BIP!
influence
This indicator reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
BIP!Influence provided by BIP!
impulse
This indicator reflects the initial momentum of an article directly after its publication, based on the underlying citation network.
BIP!Impulse provided by BIP!
0
Average
Average
Average
Green
gold