| Family: |
Arhynchobatidae (Softnose skates) |
| Max. size: |
51.5 cm TL (male/unsexed); 54.5 cm TL (female) |
| Environment: |
bathypelagic; marine; depth range 870 - 1049 m |
| Distribution: |
Western Pacific: New Caledonia. The dark form exhibits a wider latitudinal distribution (from southern Norfolk Ridge (35°8’S) in New Zealand’s EEZ to Espiritu Santo in Vanuatu). |
| Diagnosis: |
This is a medium-size species with the following set of characters: disc wider than long, width 50.9-55.5% TL, length 43.8-45.7% TL; dorsal head length 17.1-19.0% TL; interspiracular distance 6.2-6.7% TL, internasal distance 7.0-8.5% TL, preorbital length 2.7-3.1 times orbit length, 3.4-3.6 interorbital; tail width at pelvic-fin axil 1.5-1.6 times its height; one rudimentary preorbital thorn; velvety dorsal and ventral surfaces of disc, covered with fine denticles; long and slender tail, entirely velvety and without enlarged thorns; lateral tail folds variably expanded posteriorly, its width sometimes greater than tail width at level of second dorsal fin; expanded nasal lobes, width of nasal curtain 8.1-9.8% TL; anterior pelvic-fin lobe shorter that posterior lobe; dorsal and ventral surfaces are pale greyish brown; total pectoral-fin radials 63; monospondylous centra 24-25, total diplospondylous centra 112-117, total centra 136-142 (Ref. 91035). |
| Biology: |
Found on insular slopes, mainly on hard bottoms. Rarely caught. 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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