Rostroraja texana
Rostroraja texana | |
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Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Chondrichthyes |
Subclass: | Elasmobranchii |
Superorder: | Batoidea |
Order: | Rajiformes |
Family: | Rajidae |
Genus: | Rostroraja |
Species: | R. texana
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Binomial name | |
Rostroraja texana (Chandler, 1921) [2]
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Synonyms[2] | |
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The roundel skate or Texas clearnose skate (Rostroraja texana) is a
Description
The disc of the roundel skate is diamond shaped. The short, rounded snout has a clear area of skin on either side. The rest of the dorsal surface is an unblotched chocolate brown colour, although sometimes there are darker patches. A pair of distinctive dark eyespots with pale pink rims lie on either side of the middle of the dorsal surface (these may confuse potential predators). A row of thorns runs along the midline of the back, but there are no venomous spines. The medium-length tail has a short dorsal fin near its tip and a small caudal fin. Males become mature at about 5 years old at a length of about 44 centimetres (17 in), while females are mature a year later at a length of about 53 centimetres (21 in).[3]
Distribution and habitat
The roundel skate is native to the southeastern coast of Florida, the Gulf of Mexico and the Campeche Bank, a shallow area of sea off the northern coast of the Yucatan Peninsula.[1] It usually occurs on sand, crushed shell or shingle to depths of about 180 metres (590 ft).[3]
Biology
Adult roundel skates feed predominantly on shrimp (65%), but also take fish (25%) and sometimes crabs and other crustaceans. The diet of juveniles is over 90% shrimp, with the rest composed of small fish.[1]
The roundel skate is sexually dimorphic, with the males usually being smaller than the females. In reproduction, the male's
Status
The
References
- ^ . Retrieved 19 November 2021.
- ^ a b Bailly, Nicolas (2023). "Rostroraja texana Chandler, 1921". WoRMS. World Register of Marine Species. Retrieved 2023-08-10.
- ^ a b c d DeValerio, Kate. "Roundel skate". Biological Profiles. Florida Museum of Natural History. Retrieved 2013-07-17.