تشخيص |
This small species is distinguished by the following combination of characters: plain-coloured with disc subcircular to weakly rhombic, denticle patch developing on central disc with age, continuous row of closely spaced thorns extending along mid-line of disc and tail, small mid-shoulder thorns sometimes present and long tail with dorsal fold reduced to low ridge or none at all, width of disc 1.0-1.1 times its length, trunk depressed; pectoral-fin apex broadly rounded; snout broadly triangular, tip extended slightly anterior margins almost straight; very small eyes, length of orbit and spiracle 2-2.3 in snout length; broad interorbital space, more than 3 times orbit length; narrow mouth with 5 oral papillae; weak labial furrows and folds; lower jaw strongly convex; nasal curtain skirt-shaped, short and broad, the margin weakly fringed, nostrils rather oblique; thorns are spear-shaped or lanceleote, in continuous median row, variable in size and becoming larger posteriorly, 3 nearest caudal sting often greatly enlarged; widely-spaced denticles confined to patched between orbits and on central disc of largest individuals; elongated tail is slender and constricted slightly at sting then becoming whip-like, it length 2.3-2.9 times WD, probably 1 sting; ventral fold elongate, low, (base length about equal to distance from snout to 5th gill slit); dorsal fold often a low ridge or absent; triangular pelvic fin (Ref. 114953). |