Raja polystigma Regan, 1923
Speckled ray
Raja polystigma
photo by Ilkyaz, A.T.

Family:  Rajidae (Skates)
Max. size:  60 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  demersal; marine; depth range 100 - 400 m
Distribution:  Northeast Atlantic: known only from the western Mediterranean, more common along the African coasts.
Diagnosis:   
Biology:  Found mainly on soft bottoms (Ref. 3167). Feed mainly on crustaceans and bony fishes depending on the sex, size and also partly with the season (Ref. 3167). Oviparous. Distinct pairing with embrace. Young may tend to follow large objects, such as their mother (Ref. 205). Eggs are oblong capsules with stiff pointed horns at the corners deposited in sandy or muddy flats (Ref. 205). About 20-62 eggs are laid by an individual in a year (Ref. 41314).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 17 December 2014 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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