Rhinoptera marginata

Summary

Rhinoptera marginata, the Lusitanian cownose ray, is a species of ray found along the western coast of Africa and Mediterranean Sea. It is apparently rare in the Mediterranean Sea, but is common in shallow waters off the western Africa.[2]

Rhinoptera marginata
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Chondrichthyes
Subclass: Elasmobranchii
Superorder: Batoidea
Order: Myliobatiformes
Family: Rhinopteridae
Genus: Rhinoptera
Species:
R. marginata
Binomial name
Rhinoptera marginata

In February 2024, the sepcies was added to the appendices of the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals, with the species added to Appendix II, and the Mediterranean Sea population of the same species added to Appendix I.

Description edit

Its maximum width is 2 m (6.6 ft).[3]

Distribution edit

It is found in the eastern Atlantic from Portugal to the Central African coast[1] and in the eastern part of the Mediterranean Sea.[4]

Life cycle edit

They exhibit ovoviviparity (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.

References edit

  1. ^ a b Jabado, R.W., Chartrain, E., De Bruyne, G., Derrick, D., Dia, M., Diop, M., Doherty, P., Dossa, J., Ducrocq, M., Leurs, G.H.L., Metcalfe, K., Porriños, G., Seidu, I., Soares, A.-L., Tamo, A., VanderWright, W.J. & Williams, A.B. (2021). "Rhinoptera marginata". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2021: e.T161463A49318282. Retrieved 22 October 2021.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  2. ^ IUCN Red List
  3. ^ FishBase June 2016
  4. ^ Guide of Mediterranean Skates and Rays (Rhinoptera marginata). Oct. 2022. Mendez L., Bacquet A. and F. Briand.http://www.ciesm.org/Guide/skatesandrays/rhinoptera-marginata