Elasmobranchii (sharks and rays) >
Rhinopristiformes (Shovelnose rays) >
Rhinobatidae (Guitarfishes)
Etymology: Rhinobatos: Greek, rhinos = nose + Greek, batis, -idos = a ray (Raja sp.) (Ref. 45335).
More on author: Norman.
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecology
Marine; demersal; depth range ? - 30 m (Ref. 114953). Tropical; 29°N - 17°S, 19°W - 13°E (Ref. 114953)
Eastern Atlantic: Morocco to southern Angola, a record from Namibia needs confirmation.
Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ?  range ? - ? cm
Max length : 100.0 cm TL male/unsexed; (Ref. 6497); common length : 65.0 cm TL male/unsexed; (Ref. 6497)
More or less stationary in inshore coastal waters to moderate depth. Feeds on benthic invertebrates, mainly crustaceans. Common length is 60-66 cm TL. Males mature at ca. 42 cm TL (Ref. 114953). Ovoviviparous. Produces small litters of 1-3 pups (Ref. 114953).
Life cycle and mating behavior
Maturities | Reproduction | Spawnings | Egg(s) | Fecundities | Larvae
Exhibit ovoviparity (aplacental viviparity), with embryos feeding initially on yolk, then receiving additional nourishment from the mother by indirect absorption of uterine fluid enriched with mucus, fat or protein through specialised structures (Ref. 50449).
Stehmann, M., 1990. Rhinobatidae. p. 23-27. In J.C. Quero, J.C. Hureau, C. Karrer, A. Post and L. Saldanha (eds.) Check-list of the fishes of the eastern tropical Atlantic (CLOFETA). JNICT, Lisbon; SEI, Paris; and UNESCO, Paris. Vol. 1. (Ref. 6497)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 130435)
Threat to humans
Harmless
Human uses
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Estimates based on models
Preferred temperature (Ref.
123201): 25.1 - 28, mean 27.3 °C (based on 202 cells).
Phylogenetic diversity index (Ref.
82804): PD
50 = 0.5000 [Uniqueness, from 0.5 = low to 2.0 = high].
Bayesian length-weight: a=0.00295 (0.00151 - 0.00578), b=3.13 (2.96 - 3.30), in cm total length, based on LWR estimates for this (Sub)family-body shape (Ref.
93245).
Trophic level (Ref.
69278): 3.8 ±0.4 se; based on size and trophs of closest relatives
Resilience (Ref.
120179): Low, minimum population doubling time 4.5 - 14 years (Fec assumed to be <100).
Fishing Vulnerability (Ref.
59153): High vulnerability (60 of 100).