Pristidae

Elasmobranch, Its Implications For Global, Parasitology, Diversity And, Naylor, G. J. P., Sc, Caira, J. N., Ct, Jensen, K., Ks, Rosana, K. A. M., Fl, White, W. T., Csiro, Tas, Last, P. R., Csiro & Tas, 2012, A Dna Sequence-Based Approach To The Identification Of Shark And Ray Species And Its Implications For Global Elasmobranch Diversity And Parasitology, Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History 2012 (367), pp. 1-262 : 88-89

Pristidae (modern sawfishes): genus Pristis

Pristis pectinata (smalltooth sawfish) ( fig. 68)

In total, 20 specimens of this species were included in the analysis. These were collected from the Gulf of Mexico off Florida and the Bahama Islands in the Caribbean Sea. The analysis yielded a single cluster and the range of pairwise differences among these specimens was 0–12, with an average of pairwise differences of 2.2. Given the reported breadth of the distribution of this species, these specimens represent only the northwestern elements of its distribution.

Pristis zijsron (green sawfish) ( fig. 68)

All six specimens of this species included in the analysis were collected from northern Australia and thus represent only a small part of the original Indo-West Pacific distribution of this species, which has been reported from fresh, brackish, and marine habitats. Two of these specimens are vouchered (GN3155 5 NTM S.14689-001 and GN3159 5 NTM S.14689- 003). The range of pairwise differences among these specimens was 0–5, with an average of pairwise differences of 1.7. The analysis yielded a single cluster that grouped most closely with the cluster of P. pectinata specimens. The average of the pairwise differences between specimens of these two species was 108.8.

Pristis clavata (dwarf sawfish) ( fig. 68)

Four specimens of this species, which is now considered restricted to northern Australia, were included here. One of these specimens is vouchered (GN3158 5 NTM S.14689-002). All four of these specimens were collected from Buffalo Creek in northern Australia. The analysis yielded a single cluster and the range in pairwise differences among these specimens was 0–4, with an average of pairwise differences of 2. The average of the pairwise differences between specimens of this species and those of P. pectinata was 119.6, and between those of P. zijsron was 116.7.

Pristis perotteti (largetooth sawfish) ( fig. 68)

The 17 specimens of this coastal Atlanticdwelling species all came from Belem in Brazil. The range of pairwise differences among these specimens was 0–11, with an average of pairwise differences of 3.7. The average of the pairwise differences between specimens of this species and those of P. pectinata , which were also collected from the western Atlantic, was 123.1

Pristis microdon (freshwater sawfish) ( fig. 68)

The analysis yielded a single cluster comprised of two specimens of this species, both from the Norman River in Queensland, Australia. The sequences of these specimens were identical and they grouped most closely with specimens of Pristis perotteti . The average of the pairwise differences between specimens of these two species was 16.6.