Papuan guitarfish
📖 Overview
Papuan guitarfish (Rhinobatos manai) is a ray-finned fish of the family Rhinobatidae. It inhabits marine (saltwater) waters in pelagic environments. This species can reach a maximum total length of 73.1 cm. It occurs at depths between 191 and 290 metres. With a trophic level of 3.7, it is a mid-level predator. It is assessed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
This species is distinguished by the following set of characters: a wedge-shaped disc, with its dorsal surface covered in minute dermal denticles but without thorns; long snout, its length 3.6 times interspiracular distance; moderately large orbit, its diameter 1.7 times spiracle length; oblique nostrils, its length 1.6 times internarial distance; the anterior nasal flaps are inserted into internarial space well away from nostril margin; posterior nasal flaps are broad; ridges of rostral cartilage well-separated dorsally and almost parallel; narrow prebranchial sensory-pore patch, extending to first gill slit; distance between first gill slits is 1.5 times distance between fifth gill slits; distance between fifth gill slits is 3.4 times in ventral head length; long postscapular sensory canal, not grooved and extending more than three-quarters distance to pectoral-fin insertions; moderately tall dorsal fins; pelvic fin's inner margin is shorter than its base; interdorsal distance is more than 3.1 times first dorsal-fin base; outer spiracular fold is distinctly larger than the inner fold; dorsal margin of caudal fin ca. 2 times preventral margin; post-synarcual (free) vertebral centra 171; total vertebral centra 180; nasal lamellae 52; dorsal disc is brownish and covered with well defined rusty brown spots and blotches and poorly defined white spots with greyish edges .: other (see remarks); Cross section: flattened.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Papuan guitarfish is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
Diet information for Papuan guitarfish is currently being compiled.
🥚 Reproduction
Reproduction data for Papuan guitarfish is currently being compiled.
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; pelagic-neritic; depth range 191 - 290 m . Tropical Southwest Pacific: Papua New Guinea.
🌿 Ecology
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🔍 Similar Species
👥 Community & Contribute
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