Thornback guitarfish

This article is about the species of ray in the northeastern Pacific Ocean. For other fish with similar names, see Thornback.

Thornback guitarfish
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Chondrichthyes
Subclass: Elasmobranchii
Superorder: Batoidea
Order: Torpediniformes
Family: Platyrhinidae
Genus: Platyrhinoidis
Garman, 1881
Species:
P. triseriata
Binomial name
Platyrhinoidis triseriata
Range of the thornback guitarfish[1]
Synonyms

Platyrhina triseriata D. S. Jordan & Gilbert, 1880

The thornback guitarfish (Platyrhinoidis triseriata) is a species of ray in the family Platyrhinidae, and the only member of its genus. Despite its name and appearance, it is more closely related to electric rays than to true guitarfishes of the family Rhinobatidae.[2] This species ranges from Tomales Bay to the Gulf of California, generally in inshore waters no deeper than 6 m (20 ft). It can be found on or buried in sand or mud, or in and near kelp beds. Reaching 91 cm (36 in) in length, the thornback guitarfish has a heart-shaped pectoral fin disc and a long, robust tail bearing two posteriorly positioned dorsal fins and a well-developed caudal fin. The most distinctive traits of this plain-colored ray are the three parallel rows of large, hooked thorns that start from the middle of the back and run onto the tail.

Encountered singly or in groups, the thornback guitarfish feeds on small, benthic invertebrates and bony fishes. It is aplacental viviparous, with the developing young drawing sustenance from a yolk sac. Females give birth to 1–15 pups annually in late summer, following a roughly year-long gestation period. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has listed the thornback guitarfish under Least Concern because the majority of its range lies within United States waters, where it is common since it has no commercial value and is not heavily fished commercially or recreationally. The status of this species in Mexican waters is inadequately known but may be more precarious.

  1. ^ a b Lawson, J.; Carlisle, A.B.; Villavicencio-Garayzar, C.J. (2016). "Platyrhinoidis triseriata". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016: e.T60112A80673588. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-2.RLTS.T60112A80673588.en. Retrieved 13 November 2021.
  2. ^ Aschliman, Neil C.; Nishida, Mutsumi; Miya, Masaki; Inoue, Jun G.; Rosana, Kerri M.; Naylor, Gavin J.P. (2012). "Body plan convergence in the evolution of skates and rays (Chondrichthyes: Batoidea)". Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution. 63 (1). Elsevier BV: 28–42. doi:10.1016/j.ympev.2011.12.012. ISSN 1055-7903. PMID 22209858.