Raja polystigma

Regan, 1923


Speckled ray
Classification: Elasmobranchii Rajiformes Rajidae

Reference of the original description
Regan, C.T. (1923)
A new ray from the Mediterranean. Annals and Magazine of Natural History, (Series 9), 11(64), 529–530

Image of the original description
No image in first description.

Synonyms / new combinations and misspellings
Raia polystigma, Raja cf. polystigma, Raja (Raja) polystigma

Types
Raja polystigma
Syntype: BMNH: 1893.2.28.43, Nice BMNH: 1893.9.21.11, Zara BMNH: 1888.11.29.111 (ex MSNM) BMNH: 1893.9.21.12, Zara


Description :


Citation: Raja polystigma Regan, 1923: In: Database of modern sharks, rays and chimaeras, www.shark-references.com, World Wide Web electronic publication, Version 03/2024

Please send your images of "Raja polystigma" to info@shark-references.com

Raja polystigma Regan, 1923, ERB 0976, female, 25, 8 cm DW, 39, 0 cm TL, Mediterranean, France © Frederik H. Mollen (Elasmobranch Research Belgium)
Common names
deu \(T\) Gepunkteter Rochen, spa Manchada, spa Raya manchada, fra \(T\) Raie tachetée, eng Speckled ray, eng Speckled skate, ita Razza polistima, ita Razza polistimma

Short Description
Characteristics after SERENA et al. [20312]: disc wider than long with margins sinuous. Snout very short with tip rounded and prickly. 50-60 tooth rows, acute in males, molar-like in females. Dorsal side smooth with some thornlets on anterior margins. Some pre and post-orbital thorns, one nuchal, 1-2 rows of alars, one group of malar thorns. Tail prickly with a median row of 22-28 thorns and sometimes parallel rows of thorns, none between dorsal fins. Ventral side smooth, except for snout spinulose. Colour brown with an irregular pattern of dark dots and light blotches, narrow white band surrounding the disc, often blotches similar to eyespots on wings.

Distribution
Northeast Atlantic: known only from the western Mediterranean, more common along the African coasts. Source: www.gbif.org

Biology
Oviparous, paired eggs are laid. Embryos feed solely on yolk [733]. Ripe females occurring mostly in the winter and deposit 20 to 62 egg-cases per year depending on size [7182]. Distinct pairing with embrace. Y oung may tend to follow large objects, such as their mother [17086]. Found mainly on soft bottoms. Feeds mainly on crustaceans and bony fishes depending on the sex, size and also partly with the season.

Size / Weight / Age
60.0 cm TL (male/unsexed; [7182])

Habitat
demersal; marine; depth range 100 - 400 m [7182]

Remarks
shark-references Species-ID=5745;

Parasites (arranged by Jürgen Pollerspöck)
Isopoda
  • Ceratothoa steindachneri (Koelbel, 1878) [23898]