Hongeo koreanus (Jeong & Nakabo, 1997)
Korean skate
photo by Kim, J.-K.

Family:  Rajidae (Skates)
Max. size:  76 cm TL (male/unsexed); 73.5 cm TL (female)
Environment:  demersal; marine; depth range 30 - 180 m
Distribution:  Northwest Pacific: southwestern coast of the Korean Peninsula.
Diagnosis:  This species is characterized by two derived character states: rostral cartilage continuous with the neurocranium and stout proximally, but very slender and uncalcified distally; and a broad anterior fontanelle, extending forward onto the basal part of rostral cartilage, slightly beyond the leading edge of nasal capsules. Other characters that distinguished this species are the following: the dorsal surface of tail of both sexes with a row of distinct thorns along midline; most thorns are directed anteriorly; middle of dorsal surface of disc with a pair of longitudinally elongated black blotches with undulated contours; three groups of outer buccal ampullae and tubules; three groups of nasal ampullae and tubules; ventral surface with hyoidean ampullae and tubules extending posteriorly past cloaca; rostral shaft is narrow with filamentous cartilage at the base; scapulocoracoid comparatively short and high with dorsoventrally elliptical anterior fenestra and expanded postventral fenestra; external margin of mesopterygium of pectoral fin slightly undulated, not sinuous nor fused with pectoral radials; with clasper component eperon and pent (Ref. 81217).
Biology:  Oviparous (Ref. 50449, 81217). Eggs have horn-like projections on the shell (Ref. 205). Maximum length for female from Ref. 26574.
IUCN Red List Status: Critically Endangered (CR); Date assessed: 27 August 2019 (A2cd) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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