Rajella caudaspinosa (von Bonde & Swart, 1923)
Munchskin skate

Family:  Rajidae (Skates)
Max. size:  65.1 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  bathydemersal; marine; depth range 102 - 1098 m
Distribution:  Southeast Atlantic: Lüderitz, Namibia to off Cape Agulhas, South Africa.
Diagnosis:  Small skate with a very short, obtusely pointed snout, large, close-set, bulging eyes and a thick disc; tail thick and much longer than body; conspicuous light thorns make disc and tail very rough (Ref. 5578). Light grey to brownish above, with or without darker spots; young with distinctive white-barred pattern; underside white (Ref. 5578).
Biology:  Found on the upper slope (Ref. 5578). Feed on mysids, lightfishes, and polychaetes (Ref. 5578). Oviparous (Ref. 50449). Eggs have horn-like projections on the shell (Ref. 205). Caught by hake trawlers (Ref. 5578).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 24 April 2018 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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