Leucoraja elaineae Ebert & Leslie, 2019
Elaine's skate

Family:  Rajidae (Skates)
Max. size:  33 cm TL (female)
Environment:  demersal; marine; depth range - 484 m
Distribution:  Western Indian Ocean: Kenya.
Diagnosis:  This species is distinguished by the following set of characters: an elongated, pronounced snout; simple dorsal color patterning of paired white spots and a single distinct ocelli at the mid-base of each pectoral fin, absence of tail bands or crossbars; dorsal fins not confluent, predorsal vertebral count 107; pectoral fin radial count 77 (Ref. 121922). Description: This species from its closest geographic congeners (L. compagnoi, L. wallacei) by lacking tail bands and crossbars (vs. present) and a slightly elongated, pronounced, and rather pointed snout, 94.7° (vs. a short, bluntly angled >110°); differs from L. wallacei by having a higher predorsal vertebral count, 107 (vs. 64-74) and a higher pectoral fin radial count, 77 (vs. 61-64) (Ref. 121922).
Biology: 
IUCN Red List Status: Data deficient (DD); Date assessed: 21 January 2021 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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