Elasmobranchii (sharks and rays) >
Rajiformes (Skates and rays) >
Gurgesiellidae (Pygmy skates)
Etymology: Cruriraja: Latin, crur, cruris = pertaining to a leg + Latin, raja = a ray (Raja sp) (Ref. 45335).
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecology
Marine; bathydemersal; depth range ? - 859 m (Ref. 5578). Deep-water; 28°S - 32°S
Southeast Atlantic: off Port Nolloth, South Africa.
Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ?  range ? - ? cm
Max length : 23.0 cm TL male/unsexed; (Ref. 2708); 31.0 cm TL (female)
Short description
Identification keys | Morphology | Morphometrics
A legskate with a pointed thornless snout and with large whitish thorns on shoulders, around the eyes, and in a single row from the nape to the 1st dorsal fin (Ref. 5578). Legskates have pelvic fins separated into a mobile leg-like front lobe, and a rear lobe that may be fused to the tail base (Ref. 5578). Uniformly reddish-brown above, lighter below (Ref. 5578).
Body shape (shape guide): other.
A rare species known only from 2 specimens both of which are missing (Ref. 2708). Oviparous (Ref. 50449).
Life cycle and mating behavior
Maturity | Reproduction | Spawning | Eggs | Fecundity | Larvae
McEachran, J.D. and K.A. Dunn, 1998. Phylogenetic analysis of skates, a morphologically conservative clade of elasmobranchs (Chondrichthyes: Rajidae). Copeia 1998(2):271-290. (Ref. 27314)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 130435: Version 2025-2)
Threat to humans
Harmless
Human uses
Fisheries: of no interest
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