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Rhina ancylostoma (Bowmouthed guitarfish)
Bloch & Schneider, 1801
Life
> Eukaryotes >
Opisthokonta
> Metazoa (animals) >
Bilateria >
Deuterostomia > Chordata >
Craniata > Vertebrata (vertebrates) > Gnathostomata (jawed
vertebrates) > Chondrichthyes > Elasmobranchii >
Batoidei > Rajiformes > Rhinoidei > Rhinidae
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Rhina ancylostoma (Bowmouthed guitarfish) [Illustration
by Ann Hecht ©] |
Identification
Unmistakable, with a broad, rounded snout,
large high pectoral fins, and heavy ridges of spiky thorns over eyes
and on back and shoulders. The jaws have heavy ridged crushing teeth
in undulating rows. Colour grey or brownish above with scattered
light spots, white below, young with black spots between eyes and on
shoulders which are lost in adults.
Size
To 2.4 m TL.
Range
East
coast, Durban to Mozambique; Indian Ocean and western Pacific.
Habitat
Inshore off beaches and on the Tugela Bank.
Biology
Uncommon here. Eats crabs and shrimp.
Human Impact
Rarely caught in
shark nets.
Text by Leonard J.V. Compagno, David A. Ebert
and Malcolm J. Smale
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