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Anacanthobatis marmorata (von Bonde & Swart, 1923) Spotted legskate |
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photo by
Ramjohn, D.D. |
| Family: | Anacanthobatidae (Smooth skates) | |||
| Max. size: | 29 cm TL (male/unsexed) | |||
| Environment: | bathydemersal; marine; depth range 230 - 322 m | |||
| Distribution: | Western Indian Ocean: known only from southern Mozambique to Durban, South Africa. | |||
| Diagnosis: | Dorsal spines (total): 0-0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 0-0. A brown-spotted legskate with smooth skin and a short slender tail less than body length; snout angular with tiny filament; pectoral disc with rounded corners; no large thorns on denticles except for alar spines on adult males (Ref. 5578). Legskates have pelvic fins separated into a mobile leg-like front lobe, and a rear lobe that may be fused to the tail base (Ref. 5578). Mottled brown and white with scattered ocelli dorsally; uniform pale ventrally (Ref. 6510). Papillae and rostral filament dark brown (Ref. 6510). | |||
| Biology: | Possibly the smallest southern African skate (Ref. 5578). Found on the upper slope (Ref. 5578). | |||
| IUCN Red List Status: | Near Threatened (NT); Date assessed: 01 August 2019 (A2d) Ref. (130435) | |||
| Threat to humans: | harmless | |||