| Family: |
Arhynchobatidae (Softnose skates) |
| Max. size: |
43.4 cm TL (male/unsexed) |
| Environment: |
bathypelagic; marine; depth range 660 - 953 m |
| Distribution: |
Western Pacific: Fiji and Vanuatu. |
| Diagnosis: |
This species (probably of medium size) is distinguished by the following set of characters: presence of a single rudimentary preorbital thorn; velvety dorsal and ventral surfaces of disc which are covered with fine denticles; long and slender tail is velvety and without enlarged thorns; lateral tail folds are not expanded distally, always narrower than tail width; nasal lobes not greatly expanded, width of nasal curtain 7.6-8.0% TL; relatively broad mouth, its width more than 66% of maximum width of nasal curtain; anterior pelvic-fin lobe is longer than posterior lobe; dorsal and ventral surfaces are dark, almost uniformly purplish grey; faint whitish spots over pores along the anterior margins of disc; total pectoral-fin radials 64-65, monospondylous centra 26-27, total diplospondylous centra 109-118, total number of centra 135-145 (Ref. 91035). |
| Biology: |
A demersal species found on mid-insular slopes. Known from few specimens. Hatching size at ca. 17 cm TL. Life history unknown (Ref. 114953). |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 23 June 2017 Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
harmless |
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