Elasmobranchii (sharks and rays) >
Rhinopristiformes (Shovelnose rays) >
Rhinobatidae (Guitarfishes)
Etymology: Rhinobatos: Greek, rhinos = nose + Greek, batis, -idos = a ray (Raja sp.) (Ref. 45335); nudidorsalis: Name from Latin 'nudus' meaning bare or naked and 'dorsum' for back, referring to its smooth, denticle-free upper surface..
More on authors: Last, Compagno & Nakaya.
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecology
Marine; demersal; depth range ? - 125 m (Ref. 55722). Tropical
Central Indian Ocean: Mascarene Ridge.
Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ? range ? - ? cm
Max length : 50.1 cm TL male/unsexed; (Ref. 55722)
Short description
Identification keys | Morphology | Morphometrics
This species is distinguished by the following characters: no thorns on upper surface of the disc, with tail and unpaired fins almost entirely naked; a small, elongate to oval-shaped denticle patch across a naked upper caudal peduncle and upper caudal-fin lobe; a wedge-shaped disc; moderately large orbit, exceeding 4% total length (TL); oblique nostrils, length 1.7 times internarial distance; anterior nasal flaps penetrating well into internarial space, but not almost united; posterior nasal flaps broad; ridges of rostral cartilages well separated dorsally and almost parallel; prebranchial sensory pore patch narrow, extending to first gill slit; postscapular sensory canal long with lateral pores, not grooved, extending almost to pectoral-fin insertions; low dorsal fins; pelvic-fin inner margin distinctly longer than its base; interdorsal distance less than 2.5 times first dorsal-fin base; 2 spiracular folds, outer is much larger than the inner one; caudal fin small with dorsal margin about 1.8 times preventral margin; 172 total vertebral centra; dorsal disc plain colored (Ref. 55722).
Offshore on insular shelves of the Central Indian Ocean, distribution probably restricted (Ref. 114953). Maximum size is actually unknown, presumably a small- to moderate-size species given that the half-meter holotype is sexually mature (Ref. 55722). Biology is unknown, more specimens needed (Ref. 114953).
Life cycle and mating behavior
Maturities | Reproduction | Spawnings | Egg(s) | Fecundities | Larvae
Last, P.R., L.J.V. Compagno and K. Nakaya, 2004. Rhinobatos nudidorsalis, a new species of shovelnose ray (Batoidea: Rhinobatidae) from the Mascarene Ridge, central Indian Ocean. Ichthyol. Res. 51:153-158. (Ref. 55722)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 130435)
Threat to humans
Harmless
Human uses
Tools
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Estimates based on models
Phylogenetic diversity index (Ref.
82804): PD
50 = 0.5000 [Uniqueness, from 0.5 = low to 2.0 = high].
Bayesian length-weight: a=0.00295 (0.00151 - 0.00578), b=3.13 (2.96 - 3.30), in cm total length, based on LWR estimates for this (Sub)family-body shape (Ref.
93245).
Trophic level (Ref.
69278): 3.6 ±0.4 se; based on size and trophs of closest relatives
Resilience (Ref.
120179): Low, minimum population doubling time 4.5 - 14 years (Preliminary low fecundity).
Fishing Vulnerability (Ref.
59153): Moderate vulnerability (40 of 100).
