From historical expedition diaries to whole genome sequencing: a case study of the likely extinct Red Sea Torpedo Ray

Torpedo rays (Torpedinidae, Torpediniformes) are small to moderately large batoids that produce an electric discharge. In the latest lists of living rays, 13 species are accepted in the genus Torpedo, including three of doubtful validity and several recently discovered undescribed species. Among the valid species is the critically endangered, possibly extinct, Torpedo suessii Steindachner, 1898, the Red Sea torpedo, of which only four specimens have been recorded in the literature until now. Here, the extended specimen approach was applied to re-describe and analyse the lectotype of T. suessii (NMW 88240) at the Natural history museum in Vienna, that has been added to the fish collection in December 1897. The approach included research of historical information and whole genome sequencing with Illumina technology from liver and muscle tissue followed by genome assembly and phylogenetic analysies.