Elasmobranquios (tiburones y rayas) (sharks and rays) >
Torpediniformes (Electric rays) >
Torpedinidae (Electric rays)
Etymology: Torpedo: Latin, torpere = be sluggish (Ref. 45335).
More on author: Peters.
Environment: milieu / climate zone / rango de profundidad / distribution range
Ecología
marino; salobre asociado a arrecife; rango de profundidad 0 - 439 m (Ref. 11228), usually ? - 50 m (Ref. 114953). Tropical; 2°S - 35°S, 17°E - 59°E (Ref. 114953)
Western Indian Ocean: from South Africa to Zanzibar and possibly as far north as the Kenyan coast. (Ref. 83892). Possibly occurring off smaller islands in the Indian Ocean but identity of specimens uncertain and need verification (Ref. 5578). Found in estuaries in South Africa during periods of high salinity (Ref. 114953).
Tamaño / Peso / Age
Madurez: Lm ?  range ? - ? cm
Max length : 64.0 cm TL macho / no sexado; (Ref. 2712)
Short description
Claves de identificación | Morfología | Morfometría
Large ray with a small caudal fin and small papillae around the spiracles (Ref. 5578). Dull grey above with variable markings, often in the form of dark lines or large spots; white below (Ref. 5578).
Body shape (shape guide): other.
Inhabits estuaries and intertidal zone down to 439 m (Ref. 5578). Found in sandy areas near deep rocky reefs (Ref. 2712). Feeds on fishes and cuttlefish (Ref. 5578). Ovoviviparous (Ref. 50449). Large prey probably stunned by its powerful electric discharge (Ref. 5578). Young born in the summer (Ref. 5578). Common accidental catch of anglers (Ref. 114953).
Life cycle and mating behavior
Madurez | Reproducción | Puesta | Huevos | Fecundidad | Larva
Exhibit ovoviparity (aplacental viviparity), with embryos feeding initially on yolk, then receiving additional nourishment from the mother by indirect absorption of uterine fluid enriched with mucus, fat or protein through specialised structures (Ref. 50449).
Compagno, L.J.V., 1986. Torpedinidae. p. 112-113. In M.M. Smith and P.C. Heemstra (eds.) Smiths' sea fishes. Springer-Verlag, Berlin. (Ref. 2712)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 130435: Version 2025-1)
Human uses
Pesquerías: bycatch
Herramientas
Special reports
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Fuentes de Internet
Estimates based on models
Preferred temperature (Referencia
123201): 12 - 25.8, mean 19.1 °C (based on 171 cells).
Phylogenetic diversity index (Referencia
82804): PD
50 = 0.5005 [Uniqueness, from 0.5 = low to 2.0 = high].
Bayesian length-weight: a=0.01479 (0.00665 - 0.03288), b=2.96 (2.77 - 3.15), in cm total length, based on LWR estimates for this (Sub)family-body shape (Ref.
93245).
Nivel trófico (Referencia
69278): 4.5 ±0.75 se; based on food items.
Resiliencia (Referencia
120179): Bajo, población duplicada en un tiempo mínimo de 4.5-14 años (Preliminary K or Fecundity.).
Fishing Vulnerability (Ref.
59153): Moderate to high vulnerability (46 of 100).
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