Thornback Skate, Dentiraja lemprieri (Richardson, 1845)

Scientific name: Dentiraja lemprieri
Thornback Skate, Dentiraja lemprieri Click to enlarge image
A Thornback Skate at a depth of 12 m, Tranmere, Tasmania, 15 April 2010. Image: William White
© William White

Fast Facts

  • Classification
    Genus
    Dentiraja
    Species
    lemprieri
    Family
    Rajidae
    Order
    Rajiformes
    Class
    Chondrichthyes
    Subphylum
    Vertebrata
    Phylum
    Chordata
    Kingdom
    Animalia
  • Size Range
    It grows to about 55 cm in length.

Introduction

The Thornback Skate is brown to grey-black with fine spots and reticulations. It is an Australian endemic.

Identification

The Thornback Skate has a short snout, widely spaced eyes and a broad depressed tail. There are spines on the sides of the head level with the eyes (malar spines) and also behind the head (nuchal spines).

Distribution

The species is endemic to Australia, occurring in continental shelf waters of Victoria, Tasmania and eastern South Australia.

The map below shows the Australian distribution of the species based on public sightings and specimens in Australian Museums. Click on the map for detailed information. Source: Atlas of Living Australia.

References

  1. Last, P.R. & J.D. Stevens. 2009. Sharks and Rays of Australia. Edition 2. CSIRO. Pp. 644, Pl. 1-91.