Domino skate
📖 Overview
Domino skate (Bathyraja leucomelanos) is a ray-finned fish of the family Arhynchobatidae. It inhabits marine (saltwater) waters. This species can reach a maximum total length of 88.8 cm. With a trophic level of 4, it is a mid-level predator. It is assessed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
A medium-sized species of Bathyraja with the following combination of characters: snout long, pointed and very broad, supported by a slender flexible medial cartilage; margin of disc (anterior two-thirds) straight. Orbit about 6.0 times in preorbital length and 0.73 times interorbital width. Mouth moderately broad, 6.8% TL; outer margins of nasal curtain with distinct, broadly triangular lobelet immediately posterior to each nostril; posterior margin of nasal curtain with prominent fringes. Tail of moderate length (about 0.9 times precloacal length), slightly depressed and slender; lateral skin fold moderately developed. Dorsal surface of disc and tail entirely covered with small and fine dermal denticles; ventral surface naked; disc entirely free of enlarged thorns; tail with single median row of 18 large thorns laterally compressed. Dorsal fins small, oblique, about equal in height; epichordal caudal-fin lobe developed. Dorsal surface mostly uniformly white except for black color along disc and tail margins, anterior lobes of pelvic fins, claspers, and dorsal fins. Ventral surface entirely black. Clasper glans with pseudosiphon and component projection; ventral terminal cartilage spoonlike; accessory terminal 2 cartilage with an expanded disc-shaped tip. Distal section of crowns of alar thorns undulating. Tooth rows: 30 in upper jaw, 28 in lower jaw; trunk centra 35; predorsal caudal centra 70; diplospondylous centra 109; pectoral-fin radials 88 .: other; Cross section: flattened.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Domino skate is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
Diet information for Domino skate is currently being compiled.
🥚 Reproduction
Reproduction data for Domino skate is currently being compiled.
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; bathydemersal, usually 953 - 1022 m . Tropical; 20°S - 22°S, 157°E - 160°E Southwest Pacific: Coral Sea (off New Caledonia).
🌿 Ecology
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🔍 Similar Species
👥 Community & Contribute
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