Raja radula Delaroche, 1809
Rough ray
Raja radula
photo by Stergiou, K.I.

Family:  Rajidae (Skates)
Max. size:  70 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  demersal; marine; depth range - 300 m
Distribution:  Eastern Atlantic: known only from the Mediterranean but may penetrate through the Strait of Gibraltar and possibly to northern Morocco. Some Atlantic records probably misidentifications of Raja naevus and/or Raja africana.
Diagnosis:   
Biology:  Range from coastal waters to about 300 m depth (Ref. 3167). Feed on all kinds of bottom animals (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 80-154 eggs are laid by an individual in a year (Ref. 41305).
IUCN Red List Status: Endangered (EN); Date assessed: 25 March 2016 (A4b) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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