| Family: |
Rhinobatidae (Guitarfishes) |
| Max. size: |
59.5 cm TL (male/unsexed) |
| Environment: |
benthopelagic; marine; depth range 66 - 200 m |
| Distribution: |
Eastern Indian Ocean and Western Central Pacific: Western Australia to Papua New Guinea |
| Diagnosis: |
This species is distinguished by the following characters: wedge-shaped disc, its dorsal surface scaled but no thorns; snout length 2.5-2.6 times interspiracular distance; orbit moderately large, diameter 1.6-1.9 times spiracle length; nostrils oblique, length 1.4-1.6 times internarial distance; anterior nasal-flaps inserted well into internarial space, but never almost united near ventral midline; posterior nasal flaps broad; ridges of rostral cartilage well-separated dorsally and almost parallel; prebranchial sensory-pore patch narrow, extending to first gill slit; distance between first gill slits 1.3-1.4 times distance between fifth gill slits; distance between fifth gill slits 2.5-2.9 times in ventral head length; postscapular sensory canal long, not grooved, extending more than three-quarters distance to pectoral-fin insertions; moderately tall dorsal-fins; pelvic-fin inner margin distinctly longer than its base in mature males, shorter than base in females; interdorsal distance more than 2.5 times first dorsal-fin base; outer spiracular fold distinctly larger than inner fold; dorsal margin of caudal fin about 2.0-2.2 times preventral margin; 162-171 post-synarcual vertebral centra; about 50 nasal lamellae; dorsal disc plain brownish or with faint dusky blotches or fine dark spots (Ref. 58070). |
| Biology: |
This species is mostly collected at depths shallower than 150 m. Male individuals mature at 46 cm TL, immature at 37.6 cm TL (Ref. 58070). |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 12 May 2015 Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
harmless |
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