Barbedwire-tailed skate
📖 Overview
Barbedwire-tailed skate (Notoraja martinezi) is a ray-finned fish of the family Arhynchobatidae. It inhabits marine (saltwater) waters in deep-water environments. This species can reach a maximum total length of 47.5 cm. It occurs at depths between 1256 and 1472 metres. With a trophic level of 3.8, it is a mid-level predator. It is assessed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
This heart-shaped, medium-size species is distinguished by the following characters: dark brownish dorsal and ventral surface; the disc is slightly wider 54.7 (51.7-55.2) %TL than long 51.6 (49.0-54.3) %TL; dorsal head length 21.3 (18.9-20.4) %TL; interspiracular width 6.3 (6.6-7.6) %TL; internarial space 8.4 (6.6-7.9) %TL; preorbital length 14.9 (13.0-14.9) %TL, 4.4 (3.8-4.9) times orbit length and 3.0 (2.9-3.3) times distance between eyes (interorbital space); tail width at pelvic fin axil 1.5 (1.3-1.4) times its height; presence of a single, strong, hook-like, angled posteriorly preorbital thorn; disk with small, fine denticles, randomly distributed, slightly more abundant on the sides of the caudal region; long claspers (cloacal length) 23.8% TL and slim; long and slender tail, covered with abundant strong, thin, non aligned and posteriorly angled thorns, which differs from all other congeners; thin lateral tail folds merging at tail axil, thinner than tail width at any point and enlarged posteriorly; nasal lobes are expanded, nasal curtain maximum width 8.4 (7.8-9.5) %TL; anterior pelvic-fin lobe is longer than posterior 13.1 (16.2-16.8) %TL and 10.1 (7.8-9.8)% TL when straightened (shorter than posterior in natural position though); total pectoral-fin radials 65 (63-65); monospondylus centra 25 (24-26); predorsal diplospondylous centra 58 (60-65); total predorsal centra 83 (85-91); caudal centra 20 (22-25) total centra 118 (123-128) .: other (see remarks); Cross section: flattened.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Barbedwire-tailed skate is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
🥚 Reproduction
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; bathydemersal; depth range 1256 - 1472 m . Deep-water
🌿 Ecology
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🔍 Similar Species
👥 Community & Contribute
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