Bathyraja chapmani Ebert, Alfaro-Shigueto, Velez-Zuazo, Pajuelo & Mangel, 2022
Chapman's skate

Family:  Arhynchobatidae (Softnose skates)
Max. size:  112.6 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  bathydemersal; marine; depth range - 1714 m
Distribution:  Southeastern Pacific: Peru.
Diagnosis:  This large species (to at least 112.6 cm TL) with a rhombic disc, is distinguished from other Peruvian species (as well as all other southeast Pacific congeners) by the following characters: a uniform black-to-chocolate or dark-plumbrown colouration, notably the same on both dorsal and ventral surfaces (vs. dorsal and ventral surfaces of different colors, except B. aguja; an irregular spotted pattern on both dorsal and ventral surfaces (vs. no spotting or, in B. aguja, two symmetrically arranged, large, white spots on dorsal surface at pectoral-fin bases and symmetrically arranged white spots along disc margins); differs from Peruvian congeners by having more precaudal vertebrae 79-81 (vs. 62-71); fewer pectoral-fin radials 69-70 (vs. 72-83) (Ref. 127873).
Biology: 
IUCN Red List Status: Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


Source and more info: www.fishbase.org. For personal, classroom, and other internal use only. Not for publication.