Spotted ray
| Spotted ray | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Chondrichthyes |
| Subclass: | Elasmobranchii |
| Order: | Rajiformes |
| Family: | Rajidae |
| Genus: | Raja |
| Species: | R. montagui
|
| Binomial name | |
| Raja montagui Fowler, 1910
| |
| Synonyms[2] | |
| |
The spotted ray or spotted skate (Raja montagui) is a species of skate in the family Rajidae.[3][4]
Distribution
[edit | edit source]The Spotted ray is found in the Atlantic Ocean from the Irish Sea to Morocco and in the Mediterranean as well.[5]
Description
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Like all rays, the spotted ray has a flattened body with broad, wing-like pectoral fins. The body is sub-rhomboid. The dorsum is brown with dark spots.
Its maximum length is 80 cm (2.6 ft), making it one of the smallest skates.[6]
Behaviour
[edit | edit source]The spotted ray buries itself in sand to ambush prey and avoid predators. It mainly feeds on crustaceans, polychaetes, teleosts and molluscs.[7][8]
Life cycle
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Spotted rays are oviparous with eggs laid in summer. The pups hatch fully formed, about 11.5 cm (4.5 in) long, after 5 or 6 months.[8]
See also
[edit | edit source]References
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- ^ Guide of Mediterranean Skates and Rays (Raja montagui). Oct. 2022. Mendez L., Bacquet A. and F. Briand. http://www.ciesm.org/Guide/skatesandrays/raja-montagui
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External links
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- File:Wikispecies-logo.svg Data related to Raja montagui at Wikispecies
- Fishbase Database: Raja montagui
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