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Leucoraja elaineae Ebert & Leslie, 2019 Elaine's skate |
| Family: | Rajidae (Skates) | |||
| Max. size: | 33 cm TL (female) | |||
| Environment: | demersal; marine; depth range - 484 m | |||
| Distribution: | Western Indian Ocean: Kenya. | |||
| Diagnosis: | This species is distinguished by the following set of characters: an elongated, pronounced snout; simple dorsal color patterning of paired white spots and a single distinct ocelli at the mid-base of each pectoral fin, absence of tail bands or crossbars; dorsal fins not confluent, predorsal vertebral count 107; pectoral fin radial count 77 (Ref. 121922). Description: This species from its closest geographic congeners (L. compagnoi, L. wallacei) by lacking tail bands and crossbars (vs. present) and a slightly elongated, pronounced, and rather pointed snout, 94.7° (vs. a short, bluntly angled >110°); differs from L. wallacei by having a higher predorsal vertebral count, 107 (vs. 64-74) and a higher pectoral fin radial count, 77 (vs. 61-64) (Ref. 121922). | |||
| Biology: | ||||
| IUCN Red List Status: | Data deficient (DD); Date assessed: 21 January 2021 Ref. (130435) | |||
| Threat to humans: | harmless | |||