| Family: |
Arhynchobatidae (Softnose skates) |
| Max. size: |
200 cm TL (male/unsexed) |
| Environment: |
bathydemersal; marine; depth range 800 - 2938 m |
| Distribution: |
North Pacific: from the Bering Sea, south to the Galapagos Islands and Costa Rica. |
| Diagnosis: |
This large skates (200.3 cm TL), with large disc length and width (44.1-56.9 and 50.6-67.3% TL, respectively) are distinguished by the following: pectorals with rounded apices; head moderately long (14.0-20.5 % TL), interspiracular length large (9.1-12.2% TL), mouth width large (6.1-13.0% TL); teeth in 31-33 rows on upper jaw and in 24-31 rows on lower jaw; total vertebrae 137; dorsal and ventral surfaces are covered with prickles; thorns usually absent on dorsal surface, with tail thorns (22-28), interdorsal thorns weakly developed or absent (0-1), no middorsal, nuchal, and scapular thorns. Colouration: dorsal pale white to grey, while ventral is pale white; outer edges of pectorals dark (Ref. 126515). |
| Biology: |
Found in deep waters to almost 3,000 m, making it one of the deepest dwelling skates; prefer cold temperatures compared to its congeners. Feeds on deep-water benthic fishes. Size at maturity for males is unknown, for female specimens, size at maturity at 98 cm TL; with size at birth 25 cm TL. Egg cases are large compared to its congeners (9.2 cm TL); colour plum brown and longitudinally weakly striated, with both surfaces of the case plush-like to the touch. Horns with posterior ones curve inwards and with narrow at tips (Ref. 126515). |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 25 November 2014 Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
harmless |
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