Typhlonarke: Difference between revisions
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[[Category:Rays]] |
[[Category:Rays]] |
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[[Category:Torpediniformes]] |
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[[Category:Narcinidae]] |
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[[Category:Endemic marine fish of New Zealand]] |
[[Category:Endemic marine fish of New Zealand]] |
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Revision as of 08:25, 30 September 2006
| Blind electric ray | |
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| Scientific classification | |
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| Species: | T. aysoni
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| Binomial name | |
| Typhlonarke aysoni Hamilton, 1902
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The blind electric ray, blind legged torpedo, or numbfish, (Typhlonarke aysoni), is a numbfish of the genus Typhlonarke, found around New Zealand from Cook Strait southwards on the continental shelf, at depths of between 100 and 900 metres. Its length is between 15 to 30 centimetres.
The blind electric ray is a very small poorly-known electric ray with the typical round body shape, small fleshy tail, one dorsal fin, and almost useless eyes. A large part of the front of the body is taken up with modified muscle organs that store up electrical charge and delivery it to stun prey when needed. This mechanism can also be used for navigation and prey detection in dark or murky water.
The blind electric ray is dark brown in colour, and is potentially vulnerable to fisheries activity since its known distribution coincides with major trawl fishery grounds. However, recent marine sanctuaries around New Zealand provide some safe havens. Its distribution and status is uncertain due to confusion with the similar oval electric ray, Typhlonarke tarakea. There is therefore inadequate information to make a direct, or indirect, assessment of its risk of extinction based on its distribution and/or population status.
References
- Template:IUCN2006 Database entry includes justification for why this species is listed as data deficient
- "Typhlonarke aysoni". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. 18 April.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=and|year=/|date=mismatch (help) - Froese, Rainer; Pauly, Daniel (eds.) (2006). "Typhlonarke aysoni" in FishBase. January 2006 version.
- Tony Ayling & Geoffrey Cox, Collins Guide to the Sea Fishes of New Zealand, (William Collins Publishers Ltd, Auckland, New Zealand 1982) ISBN 0-00-216987-8