This large, rhomboidal skates (to at least 157 cm TL) have a triangularly shaped disc (width 44.2-63.7% TL), long head length (19.7-27.8% TL), and with rounded pectoral apices; claspers are very long and slender, the tips conspicuously bulbous, large and wide pseudosiphon present, length 20.0% of clasper, with a distinct, curved pseudorhipidion, the inner surface with a defined V-shaped cleft; ventral lobe with a rounded projection; teeth in 27-39 rows on upper jaw, 24-34 rows on lower jaw; pectoral radials 82; pelvic fins 19; total vertebrae 139; the dorsal and ventral surface of disc with prickly dermal denticles and with thorns on dorsal surface of disc, the males with a well-developed alar thorns, no malar thorns, middorsal thorns weak or absent (0-2), the scapulars often none, nuchal thorns strong (2-4), tail thorns moderate (15-30), down the length of tail, interdorsals are weak or obsolete (0-1). Colouration: dorsal dark brown or black-grey, sometimes with small dark blotches scattered on body, the pectoral fin edges are darker than the rest of body, pelvic fins often with whitish anterior tips while ventral is darker than dorsal surface, usually white around the mouth, gills, and cloaca (Ref. 126515).