| Family: |
Arhynchobatidae (Softnose skates) |
| Max. size: |
64.6 cm TL (male/unsexed) |
| Environment: |
bathydemersal; marine; depth range 900 - 1000 m |
| Distribution: |
Southwest Pacific: New Zealand. |
| Diagnosis: |
This species is characterized by the following: very long tail, 1.4-1.5 times disc length, 2.8-3.0 times ventral head length, 6.2-6.6 times snout length; orbit is moderately large, 2.5-2.7 in preorbital snout length; tail base relatively broad, width at pelvic-fin insertions 2.7-3.0 times width at midlength; anterior lobe of pelvic fin spatulate; dorsal disc largely naked; middorsal surface of tail naked, apart from non-linear row of paired thorns extending onto posterior disc; dorsolateral surface of tail lacking thorns; snout length 2.4-2.6 times distance from snout tip to rostral thorn; calcified rostral shaft short; single preorbital thorn, posterior thorns absent; ventral disc and tail naked; alar and malar thorns of mature males united to form a broad patch over most of outer pectoral fin; ventral surface much darker than dorsal surface; very dark, beard-like patch beneath mouth, edge of mouth white; no rows of pale-edged pores on ventral surface; nuchal pore band very distinct; total pectoral radials 68-70; predorsal vertebrae 106-110; tooth rows in upper jaw 45-60 (Ref. 58023). |
| Biology: |
Male paratypes were found to be immature at 50.7 cm TL, no information re juveniles (Ref. 58023). |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Data deficient (DD); Date assessed: 22 June 2017 Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
harmless |
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