Morphology Data of Pristis pectinata
Identification keys
Abnormalities
Main Ref. Bigelow, H.B. and W.C. Schroeder, 1953
Appearance refers to
Bones in OsteoBase

Sex attributes

Specialized organs
Different appearance
Different colors
Remarks

Descriptive characteristics of juvenile and adult

Striking features
Body shape lateral elongated
Cross section compressed
Dorsal head profile
Type of eyes
Type of mouth/snout other (see Diagnosis)
Position of mouth sub-terminal/inferior
Type of scales placoid scales
Diagnosis

Diagnosis: Pristis pectinata is easily separable from Pristis perotteti by the following characters: its first dorsal fin originates about over the origin of its pelvic fins vs. considerably in front of origin of pelvic fins in P. perotteti; its caudal fin is much shorter, but broader relative to the length of the fin, with lower lobe only faintly indicated; its rostral teeth are numerous, 23 or more on each side vs. not more than 20 in P. perotteti; its saw is relatively somewhat shorter; its second dorsal fin has the posterior margin much less deeply concave; and its pectoral fins are smaller (Ref. 6902, 81624). Pristis pectinata agrees with Pristis pristis in the shape of its caudal fin and in the position of the first dorsal fin relative to the pelvic fins, but it can be separated from P. pristis by its more numerous rostral teeth, 23 or more on each side vs. less than 20 (Ref. 6902, 81624).

Description: Long, flat, blade-like rostrum with at least 23 and up to 32 pairs of rostral spines along edges (Ref. 26938, 81624). First dorsal fin originating at same level as pelvic fin origin and base slightly longer than second dorsal fin (Ref. 81624). Caudal fin with a much larger and oblique dorsal lobe and without a clearly defined ventral lobe (Ref. 26938, 81624).

Colouration: Nearly uniform dark mouse gray to blackish brown above, paler along margins of fins; white to grayish white or pale yellow below (Ref. 6902, 81624).

Ease of Identification

Meristic characteristics of Pristis pectinata

Lateral Lines Interrupted: No
Scales on lateral line
Pored lateral line scales
Scales in lateral series
Scale rows above lateral line
Scale rows below lateral line
Scales around caudal peduncle
Barbels
Gill clefts (sharks/rays only) 5present
Gill rakers
on lower limb
on upper limb
total
Vertebrae
preanal
total

Fins

Dorsal fin(s)

Attributes
Fins number 2
Finlets No. Dorsal   0 - 0
Ventral  0 - 0
Spines total
Soft-rays total
Adipose fin absent

Caudal fin

Attributes more or less truncate; more or less normal

Anal fin(s)

Fins number
Spines total
Soft-rays total

Paired fins

Pectoral Attributes  more or less normal
Spines     
Soft-rays   
Pelvics Attributes  more or less normal
Position    abdominal  beneath origin of D1
Spines     
Soft-rays   
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cfm script by eagbayani, 17.10.00, php script by rolavides, 13/03/08 ,  last modified by sortiz, 06.27.17