Behavior, distribution, and relative abundance of cownose ray schools Rhinoptera bonasus in the northern Gulf of Mexico

Abstract

Three types of schooling behavior are described, though no seasonal differences were noted. Estimated densities of cownose ray schools in the inshore areas during the spring ranged from none in N Texas an N Florida to 8.38 schools/100 NM2 in the N-Central Gulf. Gulf densities in the spring ranged from 0.02 schools/100 NM2 in Northern Florida to 3.54 schools/100 NM2 in the N-Central Gulf. Cownose ray schools were generally less abundant during autumn than during spring surveys. Details of distribution and densities of these schools are given along with notes on other types of behavior and association with shark and other fish species. -after Authors