Brochiraja asperula (Garrick & Paul, 1974)
Smooth deep-sea skate

Family:  Arhynchobatidae (Softnose skates)
Max. size:  51 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  bathydemersal; marine; depth range 200 - 1300 m
Distribution:  Southwest Pacific: endemic to New Zealand.
Diagnosis:  Dark brown in color (Ref. 26346). Wing tips rounded; snout shorter than most other skates; skin smooth, soft and loose, with band prickles on hind body and tail (Ref. 26346).
Biology:  Inhabit the continental slope (Ref. 26346). Oviparous. Distinct pairing with embrace. Young may tend to follow large objects, such as their mother (Ref. 205). Eggs are oblong capsules with stiff pointed horns at the corners deposited in sandy or muddy flats (Ref. 205). Egg capsules are 3.7 cm long and 2.2 cm wide (Ref. 41249).
IUCN Red List Status: Data deficient (DD); Date assessed: 22 June 2017 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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