Neoraja iberica Stehmann, Séret, Costa & Baro, 2008
Iberian pygmy skate
photo by Stehmann, Séret, Costa & Baro

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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