Starry skate
📖 Overview
A demersal species, commonly found inshore on continental shelf; also found on continental slope. Mainly feeds on small bony fishes, cephalopods and shrimps . Oviparous. Distinct pairing with embrace. Young may tend to follow large objects, such as their mother . Eggs are oblong capsules with stiff pointed horns at the corners deposited in sandy or muddy flats . Egg capsules are 7.1-7.8 cm long and 5.5-7.0 cm wide . Males reaches maturity at ca. 67 cm TL, females at ca. 68 cm TL; young hatch at 12-16 cm TL .
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal spines (total): 0; Anal spines: 0. A row of strong, sharp spines along the mid-dorsal line from a point behind the eyes by less than the interorbital width to the first dorsal fin and continued beyond it with a single spine between the two dorsal fins; large spines on the shoulder girdle; a row of small spines on the inner edge of the orbit; a cluster of moderate spines along the edge of the pectoral fin from its tip to the snout, large spines in males . Dorsal fins small and well back on tail; caudal fin very small; anal fin absent; pectorals broad, attached to snout and incorporated with body; pelvic fins large and deeply notched . A horizontal fleshy ridge from either side of ventral surface of tail, more prominent posteriorly . Grayish brown, numerous dark spots of various sizes scattered on body, a weakly marked eye spot frequently present at base of pectoral fins .: other.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Starry skate is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
Diet information for Starry skate is currently being compiled.
🥚 Reproduction
Oviparous, paired eggs are laid. Embryos feed solely on yolk . Distinct pairing with embrace. Young may tend to follow large objects, such as their mother .
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; demersal; depth range 18 - 982 m , usually 70 - 150 m . Temperate; 4°C - 12°C ; 51°N - 30°N, 129°W - 115°W Northeast Pacific: northern California (USA) to Baja California (Mexico).
🌿 Ecology
small bony fishes, cephalopods and shrimps (Ref
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
👥 Community & Contribute
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