Sapphire Skate
📖 Overview
Sapphire Skate (Notoraja sapphira) is a ray-finned fish of the family Arhynchobatidae. It inhabits marine (saltwater) waters. This species can reach a maximum total length of 36 cm. It occurs at depths between 1195 and 1313 metres. With a trophic level of 3.7, it is a mid-level predator. It is assessed as Data Deficient on the IUCN Red List.
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
This medium-size (413 mm TL) species is distinguished by the following set of characters: heart-shaped disc with a short projected snout tip; disc slightly wider than long, its width 51-54% of TL, and length 47-48% TL; short snout, its preorbital snout length 12-15% TL, preoral snout length 12-15% TL; interorbital width 3.6-4.1% TL; interspiracular width 6.0-6.6% TL; long and slender tail, its length from posterior margin of cloaca to tip of tail 54-58% TL; dorsal surface of disc largely free of dermal denticles; rostrum with some denticles, without thorns; a small but distinct preorbital thorn on anterior upper orbital rim; denticles present on posterior mid-dorsal trunk; tail prickly with dense, irregular and randomly arranged thorns; mid-dorsal row on tail hardly distinct from the rest of thorn pattern; naked ventral surface of disc and tail; upper jaw with 29-36 tooth rows, lower with 28-32; pectoral-fin radials 67-70; monospondylous trunk centra 23-25; predorsal caudal diplospondylous centra 70-74; total number of centra 126-134; dorsal surface rich blue, uniform, with a narrow blackish outer margin; ventral surface of disc and tail brownish black, gill slits darker, cloaca opening and mouth corners whitish .: other.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Sapphire Skate is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
🥚 Reproduction
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; benthopelagic; depth range 1195 - 1313 m . Subtropical; 25°S - 35°S, 167°E - 169°E West Pacific: Coral Sea and Tasman Sea.
🌿 Ecology
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🔍 Similar Species
👥 Community & Contribute
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