Raja straeleni
| Biscuit skate | |
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| Species: | R. straeleni
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| Binomial name | |
| Raja straeleni (Poll, 1951)
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The Biscuit skate or spotted skate, (Raja straeleni) is a species of marine fish in the skate family (family Rajidae) of order Rajiformes. It is native to the eastern Atlantic Ocean.
Distribution
Eastern Atlantic: Rio de Oro, Western Sahara to South Africa.[1]
Description
A skate with a blunt, angular snout, a long, thick tail, and a broad flattened angular disc with wing-like pectoral fins. Thorns on upper surface of disc and tail, sometimes also on underside of large individuals. Colour brown to grey dorsally, with small to large black spots, whorls and blotches, Larger eyespot at base of each pectoral fin base. Underside plain white. Juveniles lack the dark dorsal spots.[1][2]
Habitat and behaviour
Oceanodromous marine demersal. Depth range shore to 800 m, usually 100 - 300 m[1] but sometimes seen much shallower.[3] Sandy or muddy bottoms. [2] Found in shallow enclosed bays and on the slope. Feeds on invertebrates, bony fishes and fish offal. Oviparous: Eggs have horn-like projections on the shell. Migrates towards the coastal shallows during the warm season and towards deep waters in winter.[1]
Importance to humans
Commercial and gamefish. Caught by shore and ski-boat anglers and by hake trawlers. Pectoral fins sold as 'skate wings' .[1]
Conservation status
Data deficient.
Name
Etymology: Raja: Latin, raja, -ae = a sting ray; straeleni: Named after V. Van Straelen, director of IRSNB, Belgium.[1]
Common names: Biscuit skate, False thornback skate,[3] spotted skate.[1]
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h Froese, Rainer; Pauly, Daniel (eds.). "Raja straeleni". FishBase. March 2014 version.
- ^ a b Branch, G.M., Branch, M.L, Griffiths, C.L. and Beckley, L.E. (2010). Two Oceans: a guide to the marine life of southern Africa Struik Nature, Cape Town. ISBN 978 1 77007 772 0
- ^ a b Jones, Georgina. A field guide to the marine animals of the Cape Peninsula. SURG, Cape Town, 2008. ISBN 978-0-620-41639-9
564196 "Raja straeleni". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. 19 March. {{cite web}}: Check |url= value (help); Check date values in: |date= and |year= / |date= mismatch (help)
External links
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