Elasmobranchii (sharks and rays) >
Rhinopristiformes (Shovelnose rays) >
Rhinidae (Wedgefishes)
Etymology: Rhynchorhina: Composite name from Rhynchobatus and Rhina indicating that the new genus exhibits features of both genera - with Rhynchobatus-like body with a rounded snout similar to Rhina; mauritaniensis: Named for the country Mauritania, its type locality,.
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecology
Marine; pelagic-neritic. Tropical; 28°N - 14°N, 18°W - 5°W (Ref. 114953)
Distribution
Countries | FAO areas | Ecosystems | Occurrences | Point map | Introductions | Faunafri
North-East Atlantic: off Mauritania.
Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ? range ? - ? cm
Max length : 224 cm TL male/unsexed; (Ref. 109576); 204.0 cm TL (female)
Short description
Identification keys | Morphology | Morphometrics
This species with a heavy shark-like body is distinguished by the following: head somewhat flattened; snout tip broadly rounded to somewhat quadrangular; tail with a dermal fold along each lower edge; large and falcate dorsal fins 2; caudal fin with distinct upper and lower lobes; conspicuous dermal folds 2 on posterior margin of spiracles; nostrils are very large and
oblique, and are separated from each other and from the mouth; anterior nasal flap is small (not extending to inner nostril corner); jaws moderately undulated; with about 66/72 rows of oral teeth arranged in pavement; a row of pointed thorns along each rostral ridge, 2/3 additional thorns may occur on snout tip; a single row of thornlets and thorns in front of orbit extending backward to level of spiracles; a median row of about 36 large, pointed thorns from the nape to
first dorsal fin and 6 between dorsal fins, median thorns flanked by two other shorter rows on the nape-shoulder area, additional short rows of thorns may be present on the outer shoulders; body covered with small dermal denticles, the crowns with a median posterior cusp, an extension from the median ridge, and short lateral cusp; dorsal side greyish to greenish with numerous white ocelli-like spots; a large black transverse blotch on ventral snout tip (Ref. 109576). Resembles Rhynchobatus lubberti in having a similar colour pattern, but differs in having a more broadly rounded snout (similar to that of the shark-ray Rhina ancylostoma (Ref. 109576).
A benthic species with presumably very restricted distribution range (Ref. 114953). A larger male of 275 cm TL (without the caudal fin) was observed in March 1998 at Agadir (reported not collected by an IMROP fishery observer). Caught by trammel net (Ref. 109576). The species was known from a few specimens caught in shallow water in Banc d'Arguin sandy shoal (Ref. 114953).
Life cycle and mating behavior
Maturity | Reproduction | Spawning | Eggs | Fecundity | Larvae
Séret, B. and G.J.P. Naylor, 2016. Rhynchorhina mauritaniensis, a new genus and species of wedgefish from the eastern central Atlantic (Elasmobrachii: Batoidea: Rhinidae). Zootaxa 4138(2):291-308. (Ref. 109576)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 130435: Version 2024-1)
Threat to humans
Harmless
Human uses
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Estimates based on models
Phylogenetic diversity index (Ref.
82804): PD
50 = 1.0010 [Uniqueness, from 0.5 = low to 2.0 = high].
Bayesian length-weight: a=0.00372 (0.00163 - 0.00845), b=3.11 (2.91 - 3.31), in cm total length, based on LWR estimates for this (Sub)family-body shape (Ref.
93245).
Trophic level (Ref.
69278): 3.5 ±0.5 se; based on size and trophs of closest relatives
Fishing Vulnerability (Ref.
59153): Very high vulnerability (90 of 100).
