First record of the Banded Guitarfish, Zapteryx exasperata (Rhinopristiformes: Trygonorrhinidae), in central California, USA

The recent ocean-warming events along the California coast have extended the northern range of several elasmobranch species. The Banded Guitarfish, Zapteryx exasperata, is a poorly known shallow-water batoid, typically found in warm-temperate to tropical waters of southern California, USA and the Gulf of California, Mexico. During a Baited Remote Underwater Video Station (BRUVS) survey in October 2020, an unusual batoid identified as Z. exasperata was observed at a depth of 2.5 m. This individual was within the Point Lobos State Marine Reserve in Monterey County, central California, extending its range by at least 260 km northwards. A key to the California species of guitarfishes and Thornback Ray is provided.