| Family: |
Arhynchobatidae (Softnose skates) |
| Max. size: |
31 cm TL (male/unsexed); 39.5 cm TL (female) |
| Environment: |
bathypelagic; marine; depth range 567 - 699 m |
| Distribution: |
Western Pacific: Fiji. |
| Diagnosis: |
This species (probably of medium size) is distinguished by the following set of characters: a small but conspicuous preorbital thorn; velvety dorsal surface of disc which is covered with fine denticles; velvety ventral surface with widely spaced and very fine denticles; long and slender tail, entirely velvety and without enlarged thorns; lateral tail folds are not expanded distally, narrower than tail for their whole length; nasal lobes are not greatly expanded, width of nasal curtain 7.3-8.3% TL; relatively small mouth, width more than 66% of maximum width of nasal curtain and 5.7-6.2% TL; anterior pelvic-fin lobe is shorter than posterior lobe; dorsal surfaces plain pale yellowish brown, ventral surface creamy white; total pectoral-fin radials 64-66, monospondylous centra 25, total diplospondylous centra 119-127, total number of centra 144-152 (Ref. 91035). |
| Biology: |
Found on nearby insular slope. 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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