| Family: |
Rajidae (Skates) |
| Max. size: |
76 cm TL (male/unsexed) |
| Environment: |
demersal; marine; depth range 18 - 982 m |
| Distribution: |
Northeast Pacific: northern California (USA) to Baja California (Mexico). |
| Diagnosis: |
Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 0-0; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 0-0. A row of strong, sharp spines along the mid-dorsal line from a point behind the eyes by less than the interorbital width to the first dorsal fin and continued beyond it with a single spine between the two dorsal fins; large spines on the shoulder girdle; a row of small spines on the inner edge of the orbit; a cluster of moderate spines along the edge of the pectoral fin from its tip to the snout, large spines in males (Ref. 6885). Dorsal fins small and well back on tail; caudal fin very small; anal fin absent; pectorals broad, attached to snout and incorporated with body; pelvic fins large and deeply notched (Ref. 6885). A horizontal fleshy ridge from either side of ventral surface of tail, more prominent posteriorly (Ref. 6885). Grayish brown, numerous dark spots of various sizes scattered on body, a weakly marked eye spot frequently present at base of pectoral fins (Ref. 6885). |
| Biology: |
A demersal species, commonly found inshore on continental shelf; also found on continental slope. Mainly feeds on small bony fishes, cephalopods and shrimps (Ref. 114953). Oviparous. Distinct pairing with embrace. Young may tend to follow large objects, such as their mother (Ref. 205). Eggs are oblong capsules with stiff pointed horns at the corners deposited in sandy or muddy flats (Ref. 205). Egg capsules are 7.1-7.8 cm long and 5.5-7.0 cm wide (Ref. 41300). Males reaches maturity at ca. 67 cm TL, females at ca. 68 cm TL; young hatch at 12-16 cm TL (Ref. 114953). |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 24 March 2014 Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
harmless |
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