Sandy ray | |
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Illustration of dorsal surface, Jonathan Couch | |
Scientific classification ![]() | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Chondrichthyes |
Subclass: | Elasmobranchii |
Superorder: | Batoidea |
Order: | Rajiformes |
Family: | Rajidae |
Genus: | Leucoraja |
Species: | L. circularis
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Binomial name | |
Leucoraja circularis (Couch, 1838)
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Synonyms | |
Raia circularis |
The sandy ray (Leucoraja circularis) or sandy skate[2] is a species of ray in the family Rajidae.[3][4]
It maximum length is 1.2 m (3 ft 11 in), typical adults measuring 70 cm (2.3 ft). It has a short snout with a spinulose reddish-brown dorsal surface, a tail only slightly longer than body, and a white underside. A distinctive feature is the 4–6 creamy-coloured spots on each wing.[5]
The sandy ray lives in the demersal zone of the offshore waters of Western Europe and the Mediterranean Sea, at depths between 70 m (230 ft) and 676 m (2,218 ft).[6] According to the FAO this species should be considered extinct in Mediterranean Sea, but recent records contradict this view.[7]
The sandy ray lays its eggs between August and November and feeds on benthic invertebrates and small bony fish.[8]