 Joshua Moyer with Blacktip shark If you want one heck of a "Behind the Fins" interview to chomp on, you've come to the right place! TFUI is proud to introduce you to Joshua Moyer, who is currently earning his doctorate at the University of Massachusetts Amherst studying the ecology and evolution of feeding in sharks.
"What the heck is that?!" you may be wondering. Good question! Guess you'll have to continue reading on to find out the trooth (sorry, we had to) of Joshua's work.  An Eastern Looseskin Skate, Insentiraja laxipella, from the southern Coral Sea, east of Curtis Island, Queensland, June 2017, depth 1050 m. Source: Rob Zugaro / Museums Victoria. We are all about diverse representation here at The Fins United Initiative (TFUI) and we are excited to show off a rare pale blue skate. Smooth as butter (it lacks spikey bits), has a heart-shaped disc, and a long slender tail... the eastern looseskin skate (Insentiraja laxipella) is a definite looker! With a flexible snout and greyish-brown pelvic fins and an indistinct caudal fin, these flabby skates only have a patch of scales on their pectoral fins (called an alar patch) in the males. #Finfact: These skates have no dorsal fin! The eastern looseskin skate is unique among Australian skates in that it lacks dorsal fins. |
AuthorTFUI Founder Melissa C. Marquez is author of all animal bios and "Behind the Fins" segments. SEE MELISSA'S TEDx TALK HERE:
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