Family: |
Rajidae (Skates) |
Max. size: |
35 cm TL (male/unsexed); 31.6 cm TL (female) |
Environment: |
bathydemersal; marine; depth range 270 - 784 m |
Distribution: |
Northeastern Atlantic: Iberian Peninsula, Spain and Portugal. |
Diagnosis: |
This species is distinguished by the following characteristics: ochre to greyish brown or dark greyish disc and posterior pelvic lobes distinctly ornamented dorsally by many dark brown spots and dots and usually a few paired whitish spots in small and half-grown specimens, all often reduced in larger specimens to few pairs if larger symmetrically placed brown, pale edged spots, plus 1-2 pairs of pale spots or dots; disc inverse heart-shaped with snout tip with short, triangular projections; length of tail about 62% (mean) of TL; lateral folds only along the posterior half or 1/3 of tail length; hypocordal lobe on caudal fin; anterior pelvic lobes about 3/4 of posterior lobe length; no nasobasal fenestrae on cranium, with narrow anterior fontanelle and delicate, thin rostral shaft almost reaching rostral node (Ref. 75590). |
Biology: |
|
IUCN Red List Status: |
Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 12 December 2014 Ref. (130435)
|
Threat to humans: |
harmless |
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