Grayspottted guitarfish
📖 Overview
Found inshore from the surf line to a depth of 100 m . Feeds on bivalves, gastropods, shrimps, crabs and small bony fishes . Common length 92-96 cm TL; males and females mature at about 56 cm TL and birth size ca. 25 cm TL . Ovoviviparous . Flesh esteemed .
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Vertebrae: 200 - 205. This medium-sized species is distinguished by the following set of characters: dorsal surface smooth, no prominent thorns or tubercles, except for slightly enlarged granular denticles partially around orbital rims, and rather regularly distributed along midline from nape to near first dorsal-fin origin, none between dorsal fins and upper caudal fin; snout semi-translucent with elongated bluish spots giving stripe-nosed appearance, numerous small bluish spots covering the snout, pectoral, pelvic, dorsal, and caudal fins but not the central disc, on a sandy brown background with darker brown spots of varying sizes covering the disc, tail, fin bases, and fins, and sometimes giving the caudal peduncle a striped appearance, the outer edges of pectoral- and pelvic-fin margins blue, while lateral tail folds white or striped blue and brown and ventral surface white; nasal lamellae 37-41; upper jaw tooth row count ca. 60-75; post-synarcual centra 187-192; total vertebral segments 200-205; total pectoral skeleton radials 63-70 .Cross section: flattened.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Grayspottted guitarfish is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
Diet information for Grayspottted guitarfish is currently being compiled.
🥚 Reproduction
Exhibit ovoviparity (aplacental viviparity), with embryos feeding initially on yolk, then receiving additional nourishment from the mother by indirect absorption of uterine fluid enriched with mucus, fat or protein through specialised structures . Bears 2 to 4 young .
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; demersal; depth range 0 - 100 m , usually ? - 37 m . Subtropical; - 32°S South Africa, Mozambique, and Tanzania.
🌿 Ecology
bivalves, gastropods, shrimps, crabs and small bony fishes (Ref
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🌐 Names & Taxonomy
| Language | Common Names |
|---|---|
| 🇬🇧English | Grayspottted Guitarfish · Grey-spotted Guitarfish · Greyspot Guitarfish |
| 🌍CES | pilohřbet šedavý |
| 🇩🇪German | Graugefleckter Gitarrenrochen |
| 🇫🇷French | Raie guitare à taches bleues |
| 🇮🇹Italian | Pesce chitarra a macchie azzurre · Pesce violino a macchie azzurre |
| 🇳🇱Dutch | Grijsgestippelde gitaarrog |
| 🇵🇹Portuguese | Raia-viola-de-manchas-azuladas |
| 🇷🇺Russian | Серопятнистый гитарник |
| 🇪🇸Spanish | Raya guitarra de manchas grisáceas |
Scientific Synonyms
| Scientific Name | Author | Year | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rhinobatos leucospilus | Norman | 1926 | Synonym |
| Rhinobatus leucospilus | Norman | 1926 | Synonym |
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 3 records indexed .
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