Dipturus campbelli
| Dipturus campbelli | ||||||||||||
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| Systematics | ||||||||||||
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| Scientific name | ||||||||||||
| Dipturus campbelli | ||||||||||||
| ( Wallace , 1967) |
Dipturus campbelli is a black-spotted long-nosed ray with an elongated, pointed snout and occurs along the east coast of South Africa and Mozambique , in the Indian Ocean . Very little is known about this species of ray and it is classified as Endangered by the IUCN .
features
This ray has a distinctive elongated snout, which is shortened to a point, and thus looks triangular, the snout measures approx. 17 to 20% of the total body length. The tail is strong and slightly shorter than its body length. It can reach a maximum body length of 66 centimeters, with a size of approx. 64 centimeters, female specimens are sexually mature, while males are from 57 cm. The size of the animals at birth is unclear; the smallest known free swimming individuals were 18 to 20 centimeters tall. Its rhombus-shaped, narrow body disc is rounded at the edges and smooth except for a few thorns along its mouth, neck, back and tail and small spines. These small spines extend from its snout, over its back to its dorsal fins. Its back is gray-brown with distinctive black spots, its belly is gray. The mouth is wide and slightly curved and has 38 to 45 teeth in the upper jaw and 38 to 42 teeth in the lower jaw.
Habitat and way of life
Dipturus campbelli is found mainly on the outer continental shelf at a depth of 140 to 400 meters. Its distribution seems to be a bit patchy and little is known about its habitat and way of life.
Danger
According to the most recent research surveys, the range of this ray cannot be uniformly defined. No data are available on the evolution of catches of this species, but it is believed that trawling occurs in this area and threatens Dipturus campbelli . This in combination with possible small populations gives the IUCN reason to classify these rays as potentially endangered . There are currently no safeguards in place and further research into this species is advised.
supporting documents
- ↑ a b Dipturus campbelli in the IUCN 2017-3 Red List of Threatened Species . Posted by: Smale, MJ (SSG Subequatorial Africa Regional Workshop, September 2003), 2004-04-30.
- ↑ a b c David A. Ebert: DEEP-SEA CARTILAGINOUS FISHES OF THE INDIAN OCEAN Volume 2 Batoids and Chimaeras ; Food and agriculture organization of the united nations, Rome 2014, ISBN 978-92-5-108453-3 ( // PDF ). Pp. 62-63.
- ↑ Dipturus campbelli on Fishbase.org (English)