Elasmobranchii (sharks and rays) >
Rajiformes (Skates and rays) >
Arhynchobatidae (Softnose skates)
Etymology: Arhynchobatis: Greek, a = without + Greek, rhyngchos = snout + Greek, batis, -idos = a ray (Raja sp.) (Ref. 45335).
More on author: Waite.
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecology
Marine; bathydemersal; depth range 90 - 1070 m (Ref. 26346). Deep-water
Southwest Pacific: endemic to New Zealand.
Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ?  range ? - ? cm
Max length : 75.0 cm TL male/unsexed; (Ref. 26346)
Short description
Identification keys | Morphology | Morphometrics
Dorsal side dark brown or purplish-grey in color and covered with small erect prickles (Ref. 26346).
Body shape (shape guide): other.
Inhabits the continental slope (Ref. 26346). Oviparous (Ref. 50449). Eggs have horn-like projections on the shell (Ref. 205).
Life cycle and mating behavior
Maturity | Reproduction | Spawning | Eggs | Fecundity | Larvae
Oviparous, young hatch at about 10 cm. Paired eggs are laid. Embryos feed solely on yolk (Ref. 50449). Eggs have horn-like projections on the shell (Ref. 205).
McEachran, J.D. and K.A. Dunn, 1998. Phylogenetic analysis of skates, a morphologically conservative clade of elasmobranchs (Chondrichthyes: Rajidae). Copeia 1998(2):271-290. (Ref. 27314)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 130435: Version 2025-2)
Threat to humans
Harmless
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