Giant guitarfish: Difference between revisions
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{{Taxobox |
{{Taxobox |
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| name = Giant guitarfish |
| name = Giant guitarfish |
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| status = VU |
| status = VU | status_system = IUCN3.1 |
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| trend = unknown |
| trend = unknown |
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| image = |
| image = |
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Revision as of 02:30, 23 June 2008
| Giant guitarfish | |
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| Scientific classification | |
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| Genus: | |
| Species: | R. djiddensis
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| Binomial name | |
| Rhynchobatus djiddensis Forsskål, 1775
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The giant guitarfish, also known as the whitespotted guitarfish, is of the order of Rajiformes, being related to skates and rays.
Range
The giant guitarfish has a relatively restricted range: it is found only in the Red Sea and the tropical western Indian Ocean as far as South Africa.[1]
Description
A large fish reaching up to 3.1m long and weighing as much as 227kg. In colour it is white underneath and tan or olive green above with a black cross between the eyes, scattered white spots across the body and a pair of ocelli above the pectoral fins. It is ovoviviparous, and a female can give birth to litters of up to 10 young.[2][1]
Diet
The giant guitarfish feeds on bivalves, crabs, lobsters, squid and small fish.[1][2]
Habitat
It is a shy fish, found from 2m to 50m depth, inhabiting areas with sandy sea floor. These are generally around coastal reefs or reef flats, but they will sometimes venture into the brackish waters of estuaries. [1][2]
Interaction with man
The giant guitarfish is harmless to humans. It is listed as vulnerable on the IUCN red list, possibly because its flesh has an excellent taste and its fins are sought after in Asian markets.