Come identificare Spotted Ray

Per identificare Spotted Ray (Raja montagui), osserva queste caratteristiche chiave.

Caratteristiche fisiche

Forma del corpo

flat

Colorazione

Dorsal surface typically light brown to greyish-brown, often with numerous small, dark spots and sometimes larger, ocellated (eye-like) spots, particularly on the pectoral fins. The ventral surface is white or cream-colored, sometimes with darker margins or blotches. The spots are generally smaller and more numerous than those of the Thornback Ray.

Tipo di squame

placoid

Posizione della bocca

inferior

Caratteristiche distintive

Disc width typically 1.2 to 1.3 times its length., Snout is moderately long and pointed, with a slight concavity in front of the eyes., Two dorsal fins are located close together on the tail, near the tip., Tail is relatively slender, approximately 1.2 to 1.5 times the length of the disc., Presence of small, recurved thorns (denticles) on the dorsal surface, particularly along the midline of the disc and tail. Adult males have alar thorns (clasper thorns) on the outer margins of the pectoral fins., Absence of a prominent row of large thorns along the midline of the disc, which differentiates it from some other ray species.

Pinna dorsale

Two small, similarly sized dorsal fins located close together on the posterior part of the tail, just anterior to the caudal fin.

Pinna caudale

Long, slender, and whip-like, with small, rudimentary caudal fin at the very tip.

Pinna pettorale

Large, rhomboidal, forming the main body disc, fused to the head.

Pinne distintive

The pectoral fins form a disc that is wider than it is long, with rounded outer corners and a slightly concave anterior margin.

Consigli per l'identificazione

1. 1

   Dorsal coloration and spotting

   Look for a light brown to greyish-brown dorsal surface with numerous small, dark spots. Some individuals may have larger, ocellated spots, especially on the pectoral fins. The spots are generally smaller and more numerous than those of the Thornback Ray (Raja clavata).

2. 2

   Snout shape

   The snout is moderately long and pointed, with a slight concavity just anterior to the eyes. This is a key feature to distinguish it from species with blunter or more acutely pointed snouts.

3. 3

   Thorn pattern

   Examine the dorsal surface for small, recurved thorns. While present along the midline of the disc and tail, Raja montagui lacks the prominent, large, and regularly spaced thorns along the midline of the disc that are characteristic of the Thornback Ray (Raja clavata). Adult males will have distinct alar thorns on the outer pectoral fins.

4. 4

   Ventral surface

   The underside is typically white or cream-colored, sometimes with darker blotches or margins, especially towards the edges of the disc.

5. 5

   Disc shape

   The disc is rhomboidal, wider than it is long, with rounded outer corners. The anterior margins are slightly concave.

Esplora Spotted Ray