African softnose skate
📖 Overview
Found on the upper continental slope . A bottom-predator that feeds on bony fishes including hake, jacopever, barracudina and dragonet; also squid, octopus, crabs and prawns . Oviparous . Eggs have horn-like projections on the shell . Sometimes caught by hake trawlers .
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
A large softnose skate with a broadly triangular, bluntly pointed snout and an angular pectoral disc; tail shorter than body and with a single row of large thorns; upper disc of young with thorns but these are lost with growth . Dorsal surface greyish and may have white spots, ventral surface white with dark grey blotches around gill slits, vent and along ventral surface of tail . Tail with no color bands .: other.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for African softnose skate is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
🥚 Reproduction
Oviparous, paired eggs are laid. Embryos feed solely on yolk . Eggs have horn-like projections on the shell .
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; bathydemersal; depth range 440 - 1020 m . Deep-water; - 40°S Southeast Atlantic: off central Namibia to Agulhas Bank, South Africa.
🌿 Ecology
bony fishes including hake, jacopever, barracudina and dragonet; also squid, octopus, crabs and praw
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🌐 Names & Taxonomy
Scientific Synonyms
| Scientific Name | Author | Year | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Breviraja smithii | Müller & Henle | 1841 | Synonym |
| Raja smithii | Müller & Henle | 1841 | Synonym |
🔍 Similar Species
🗺️ Global Occurrence Map
Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 5 records indexed .
👥 Community & Contribute
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