New Zealand smooth skate
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The New Zealand smooth skate (Dipturus innominatus) is a skate of the genus Dipturus, found around New Zealand at depths of between 15 and 1,300 metres. Their length is up to 2.4 metres.
The New Zealand smooth skate is a large deepwater ray of approximate diamond shape, with a smooth skin (although large specimens can have patches of prickly skin). The upper surface is a uniform grey-brown with a few large dark spots, and the underside is greyish-white. There are one to three rows of spines on the tail.
The New Zealand smooth skate is similar to the New Zealand rough skate (Dipturus nasutus), except that its tail is noticeably narrower and the two dorsal fins at its tip are smaller. It is also found in deeper water.
While often caught in trawl nets it is not popular as an eating fish.
References
- Francis (2003). [Dipturus innominatus]. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN 2006. Retrieved on 11 May 2006. Database entry includes justification for why this species is near threatened
- "[Dipturus innominatus]." FishBase. Ed. Ranier Froese and Daniel Pauly. January 2006 version. N.p.: FishBase, 2006.
- Tony Ayling & Geoffrey Cox, Collins Guide to the Sea Fishes of New Zealand, (William Collins Publishers Ltd, Auckland, New Zealand 1982) ISBN 0-00-216987-8
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