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Chimaeras, fish in the order Chimaeriformes, are among the rarest and least studied fish in the class Chondrichthyes (cartilaginous fish). Previous records have indicated that a species of chimaera known as the elephantfish, or cockfish, Callorhinchus callorynchus, may be found in marine waters off southeastern Brazil, as far north as the state of Sao Paulo. Here we report that C. callorynchus, caught with bottom gillnet, was found in an urban fish market in the city of Rio de Janeiro (~23˚S). This and other records from a variety of places call into question the distribution limits of the American elephantfish in the southwestern Atlantic Ocean and whether, at least seasonally, this species may often be found as far north as the state of Rio de Janeiro. Because of scientific and conservation interests in the poorly known Chimaeriformes, we recommend long-term monitoring of the fish catch in ports along the southern Brazilian coast, to better understand the natural history of the intriguing chimeras.

In this paper the occurrence of two specimens of the elephant fish, Callorhinchus callorynchus is recorded. Despite of the fact of being common off Uruguay and Argentina, the species is occasionally caught in South Brazil. As a consequence, information on the populations of this species is not available.

The San Matias Gulf (SMG; 41°- 42° S; 64°- 65° W) is the largest gulf in Northern Patagonia, Argentina. Up to date, the chondrichthyan fauna of this area has not been reported. Therefore, the aim of this work is to provide a list with species presence and biological characteristics of the chondrichthyans recorded in SMG during the last 30 years. A total of 13 sharks distributed in 11 families, 19 skates and rays distributed in six families, and one holocephalan have been so far recorded in SMG. From the zoogeographical point of view, this chondrichthyan fauna is a mixed assemblage of species typically found in the Argentinean and Magellanean Provinces. The holocephalan Callorhinchus callorynchus is the most landed chondricthyan of the local fishery. With it, five sharks and seven skates are also exploited.

The distribution limits in the Atlantic of Callorhinchus callorynchus (Callorhinchidae) and Odontesthes argentinensis (Atherinopsidae) are extended northwards to 22° 22' S and 22° 31' S, respectively, whereas that of Lile piquitinga (Clupeidae) is extended southwards to 22° 22' S. Their occurrence in the north of Rio de Janeiro State is discussed. Remarks on the osteology of O. argentinensis, and morphometric and meristic data of L. piquitinga, are also provided.

*Laboratorio de Ictiologia, Departamento de Ciencias Marinas, Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata (UNMdP), Argentina. †Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Cientificas y Tecnicas (CONICET). ‡Museo del Mar, Mar del Plata, Argentina. ∫Comision de Investigaciones Cientificas de la Provincia de Buenos Aires (CIC). §Instituto Nacional de Investigacion y Desarrollo Pesquero (INIDEP). ¶Corresponding author, e-mail: blasina@mdp.edu.ar

Un pez elefante se reporta por la primera vez del Ecuador continental. Un solo especimen del pejegallo suramericano comun, Callorhinchus callorynchus, fue recogido en Puerto Lopez en 1998. Este registro corresponde a una extension del rango de distribucion hacia el norte de por lo menos 500 km. Su ocurrencia en Ecuador podria ser ligada al acontecimiento de La Nina 1998-2001.