Elasmobranchs in the Gulf of California have been found with malformations, probably originated during embryonic development or caused by environmental anomalies and pollution associated with intense mining activity in the region. Clasper malformations are reported for the first time in two specimens of Pseudobatos buthi, a species recently described from the Gulf of California. The function of the claspers was not affected by the size difference, because specimens presented the distinctive characteristics of an adult individual. The reproductive system did not show any malformation, with symmetrical testes. Histological analysis of the testes revealed a normal spermatogenic development. To elucidate the causes and to detect a possible effect of the morphological malformations due to high levels of heavy metals, trace concentration values (cadmium, copper, iron, manganese, silver, lead and zinc) were determined in muscle and liver. Cadmium and lead concentrations in the muscle of the two specimens were below the permissible limit for human consumption (<0.05 mg kg−1); however, iron and zinc presented high values (0.455, 4.024 mg kg−1 in muscle and 21.931, 3.694 mg kg−1 in liver respectively). Mining activity and heavy metal pollution in the sampling area may have caused the malformations, which might be attributed to the high values of iron and zinc discovered in the muscle and liver.

中文翻译：

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在加利福尼亚湾首次记录到 Pseudobatos buthi (Chondrichthyes: Rhinobatidae) 的钩环畸形

加利福尼亚湾的棘鳍鱼被发现有畸形，可能起源于胚胎发育过程中，或者是由该地区激烈的采矿活动相关的环境异常和污染引起的。在两个标本中首次报告了 Clasper 畸形螳螂，最近从加利福尼亚湾描述的一种物种。扣子的功能不受大小差异的影响，因为标本呈现出成年人的独特特征。生殖系统未见畸形，睾丸对称。睾丸的组织学分析显示正常的生精发育。为了阐明原因并检测由于高水平重金属引起的形态畸形的可能影响，测定了肌肉和肝脏中的痕量浓度值（镉、铜、铁、锰、银、铅和锌）。两个标本肌肉中的镉和铅浓度低于人类食用的允许限度（<0.05 mg kg-1); 然而，铁和锌的值很高（0.455, 4.024 mg kg-1在肌肉和 21.931, 3.694 mg kg-1分别在肝脏中）。采样区的采矿活动和重金属污染可能导致畸形，这可能归因于在肌肉和肝脏中发现的高铁和锌含量。