| Spotted ray | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Chondrichthyes |
| Subclass: | Elasmobranchii |
| Superorder: | Batoidea |
| 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]
The Spotted ray is found in the Atlantic Ocean from the Irish Sea to Morocco and in the Mediterranean as well. [5]
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]
The spotted ray buries itself in sand to ambush prey and avoid predators. It mainly feeds on crustaceans, polychaetes, teleosts and molluscs. [7] [8]
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]
Raja, also known as raia, is a genus of skates in the family Rajidae containing 16 species. Formerly a wastebasket genus, many species historically categorized here have been moved to other genera in the family, such as Amblyraja, Beringraja, Dipturus, Leucoraja and Rostroraja. Raja are flat-bodied, cartilaginous fish with a rhombic shapes due to their large pectoral fins extending from or near from the snouts to the bases of their tails. Their sharp snouts are produced by a cranial projection of rostral cartilage. The mouth and gills are located on the underside of the body. They may be either solid-coloured or patterned, and most skates have spiny or thorn-like structures on the upper surface, while some species contain weak electrical organs within their tails. Mating typically occurs in the spring and the female lays numerous eggs per clutch which are encapsulated in leathery cases, commonly known as "mermaid’s purses". Species vary in size, ranging from about 40 to 140 cm (1.3–4.6 ft) in length. These bottom-dwellers are active during both day and night, and typically feed on molluscs, crustaceans and fish. Raja skates are found in the East Atlantic, also in the Mediterranean, and western Indian Ocean, ranging from relatively shallow water to a depth of 800 m (2,600 ft). Skates and related species have fossil records dating from the Upper Cretaceous period, thus this well-adapted species is quite ancient.
The thornback ray, or thornback skate, is a species of ray fish in the family Rajidae.
The undulate ray is a species of ray and cartilaginous fish found in the Mediterranean and East Atlantic from southern Ireland and England to the Gulf of Guinea. It is found in areas with mud or sand, and may occur as deep as 200 m (660 ft), though it prefers shallower depths. It is considered endangered due to overfishing.
The sandy ray or sandy skate is a species of ray in the family Rajidae.
The blonde ray or blonde skate is a species of ray fish in the family Rajidae.
The Jeffrey's goby is a species of goby fish.
Scopelogadus beanii, or Bean's bigscale, is a species of ridgehead fish. It is named for Tarleton Hoffman Bean.
Cataetyx laticeps is a species of fish in the family Bythitidae.
The hollowsnout grenadier, also called the blackspot grenadier, is a species of fish in the family Macrouridae.
Schnakenbeck's searsid is a species of fish in the family Platytroctidae (tubeshoulders).
Thalassobathia pelagica is a species of fish in the family Bythitidae. It is sometimes referred to by the common name pelagic brotula.
Polymetme thaeocoryla is a species of fish in the family Phosichthyidae (lightfish).
Nansenia oblita, also called the forgotten argentine or the Mediterranean large-eyed argentine, is a species of fish in the pencil smelt family (Microstomatidae).
Leptostomias gladiator is a species of fish in the family Stomiidae. It is sometimes called the scaleless dragonfish, but that name is shared with many other species.
Paracetonurus flagellicauda is a species of fish in the subfamily Macrourinae. Some sources place it in the genus Pseudonezumia.
Careproctus aciculipunctatus, also called the speckled snailfish, is a species of fish in the family Liparidae (snailfish).
Bigelow's ray, also called the chocolate skate or Bigelow's skate, is a species of skate in the family Rajidae. It is named in honour of the oceanographer Henry Bryant Bigelow.
The deepwater ray, also called the deepwater skate or abyssal skate, is a species of skate in the family Rajidae.
Rajella fyllae is a species of skate in the family Rajidae.
The white-spotted lantern fish, also called Rafinesque's lanternfish, is a species of fish in the family Myctophidae.
Data related to Raja montagui at Wikispecies